CLEARLAKE — Golden State Water Company (GSWC) is encouraging water conservation among its customers. In support of the effort, the local utility provider is offering free water-conserving shower heads to its customers. GSWC is also working to educate the public of the importance in protecting the state”s water supply.
“Our goal is to provide as many conservation resources as possible,” said Paul Schubert, northern district manager, adding that the shower heads provide the same water pressure as regular fixtures but use less water in the process.
“Statewide we are in a drought with the driest spring in recorded history,” Schubert said, explaining that Lake County specifically, has not reached drought status; however, the state”s water supply does affect all consumers in California.
“With population and industry growth comes a greater thirst for water,” Schubert elaborated. “Water is a limited resource that can quickly become scarce if we do not take measures to conserve and protect it. What we are trying to do in all of our districts is create the same mindset to reduce.”
Keeping water plentiful tops the list in conserving water. “Although we are surrounded by water, most is not drinkable,” Schubert explained. “In fact, only three percent of the world”s water is fresh water and of this, two-thirds is stored in icecaps and glaciers. That leaves only one percent of world”s water available for drinking.”
According to Schubert, conserving water also helps customers save money by lowering water and utility bills as well as sewer and septic costs. Saving energy can be accomplished by reducing the amount of hot water used, which thereby reduces the amount of electricity used to pump the water.
Conservation is good for the environment, too. Conserving water helps ease the burden on conveyance, treatment, storage and distribution facilities, Schubert explained.
Schubert offers the following tips to help conserve water:
?Watch how much water you use when doing dishes, brushing teeth, showering and washing your car and your clothes. When washing dishes by hand, use wash and rinse basins rather than running water. If you use a dishwasher, make sure the load is full and avoid extra cycles. Match your washing machine”s water level to your load size and use a shut-off nozzle when washing your car.
?Fix leaks. A faucet that drips can waste up to 3,280 gallons of water per year and most leaks are easy to fix.
?Reuse water when you can. A bucket in the shower can catch water for plants and cleaning jobs.
?There are numerous water-saving devices on the market. Look for aerators, flow regulators and displacement devices to make your home conservation-friendly. A faucet aerator reduces water use while maintaining the flow and a flow restrictor lets you maintain the faucet setting and shut off the water at the shower head while soaping or shampooing. If your toilet is not a low-flow model, installing a water-saving displacement device will reduce the amount of water needed to flush.
?Instead of a hose, use a broom or leaf blower to remove dead leaves and other debris from driveways, sidewalks and walkways.
?Water lawns and gardens during the morning or evening hours to avoid excess evaporation. Use mulch around shrubs to save moisture and use drought-tolerant and native plants.
?Watch the water level in your pool to avoid unnecessary spillage and use a cover to prevent excess evaporation.
“Working to protect our precious water supplies is critical and it”s everyone”s responsibility,” Schubert concluded.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
