Senator Boxer on ways to conserve water in this time of California's drought...
http://boxer.senate.gov/features/water/
"It's easy to take for granted a resource that is abundantly available in our daily lives. But the ease with which we can access this vital commodity often obscures the reality that it is in fact a limited resource.
As a result of the drought declaration by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, many Californians will soon likely face mandatory conservation orders. In fact, many water districts and cities have already asked for voluntary measures.
California's extensive system of water supply infrastructure -- its reservoirs, groundwater basins, and inter-regional conveyance facilities -- mitigates the effect of short-term dry periods for most water users. Short-term droughts commonly occur in CA, but only two droughts have lasted for more than four years in northern CA since record-keeping began in 1850. The first of the long-term droughts occurred from 1929 to 1934. The second major drought lasted from 1987 to 1992 and is considered the most severe drought in CA's history.
There is now growing concern that California, after several years of drought-like conditions and one of the driest winters on record, may be in another period of major drought. Because of global climate change, ourweather is changing each year. While we can hope for wetter years in the future, it is important that we begin to plan for dryer years.
In a effort to help educate and spread the word about water conservation, we've compiled the following links. Use these resources to learn whatsteps you can take to help conserve water in your daily life. With each of us doing our part we can help ensure that this resource, vital to life, is conserved and used in a manner consistent with its worth.
Water Conservation Links:
drought declaration by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
The California Department of Water Resources has put together a Water
Conservation Tips sheet, and a 2008 Urban Drought Guidebook. Both are a
good source of information regarding ways you can reduce your water use.
Water Conservation Tips & Drought Guidebook
The California Urban Water Conservation Council has put together a
virtual home that demonstrates the many ways you can help conserve
water in your own abode. Take the tour to investigate your water saving
opportunities and learn more about household water conservation. Smart Rebates Program:
Smart Rebates is a statewide program administered by the California
Urban Water Conservation Council that offers a wide-ranging list of
measures for conservation product and appliance rebates in areas that
have never before operated programs. Residential and commercial
customers of participating water utilities may qualify for Smart
Rebates. Verify that your water utility is participating in the Smart
Rebates Program and which water-saving fixtures and appliances are
being rebated in your area. WaterSense:
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, makes it easy for Americans to save water and
protect the environment. Look for the WaterSense label to choose
quality, water-efficient products. Many products are available, and
don't require a change in your lifestyle. Explore the this link to
learn about WaterSense labeled products, saving water, and how
businesses and organizations can partner with WaterSense. Water Conservation In Your Backyard:
Wise use of water for garden and lawn waterings not only helps protect
the environment, but saves money and provides for optimum growing
conditions. Use this resource by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service to learn simple ways of reducing the amount of water used for
irrigation.
Water Conservation In Your Backyard:
The Watering Calculator is intended to be used with zip codes for urban
Southern California. It was developed by the city of San Diego. It is a
tool that estimates the right amount of water to give your landscape or
garden every week. The service is provided by the Metropolitan Water
District and The Family of Southern California Water Agencies. Waterwiser Drip Calculator:
The Drip Calculator can show you how much water is being wasted at your
home or business due to leaky faucets and fixtures. Residential Water Conservation Techniques:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released this simple computer
program in 1991 that shows a multiude of ways to save water in your
home and protect the environment, all while sazing money as well.
Though a bit aged, the program still provides vital information for any
individual seeking to help conserve.
Residential Water Conservation Techniques:
WATERGY is a spreadsheet model that uses water/energy relationship
assumptions to analyze the potential of water savings and associated
energy savings. The spreadsheet allows input of utility data (energy
and water cost and consumption data for the most recent twelve months)
and facility data (number and kind of water consuming/moving devices
and their water consumption and/or flow rates). It then estimates
direct water, direct energy, and indirect energy annual savings, as
well as total cost and payback times for a number of conservation
methods. Flex Your Power:
Flex Your Power's website is a resource for energy efficiency and
conservation information. Find incentives/rebates, technical
assistance, retailers, product guides, case studies and more. California Droughts Background:
The California Department of Water Resources has put together an
informative backgroud page providing historical facts/trends concerning
drought in California, and is a good resource to gain a greater
perspective on the most recent drought concerns. California Water Districts & Associations:
Your local water district is often a good resource for rebates, water
conservation tips specific to your climate/area, and other information
concern water use in your community. UC Berkeley has put together the
following listing of water districts and agencies in California."
