Water Awareness
VVCSD WATER AWARENESS PUBLICATIONS
2002 Water Awareness
Newsletter
1993 Water Conservation
Newsletter
WATER CONSERVATION
GENERAL
Measure and Estimate Water Wasted Due to Leaks
The District provides free water-saving devices, water conservation information, and rebates for low-flow toilets, washing machines, and grass removal. Drop by the office at 3757 Constellation Road, telephone at 733-2475 or email to info@vvcsd.org for more information.
You can find additional information in our 2002 Water Awareness Newsletter
AVERAGE WATER USAGE
- Showering 5 minutes - 25 gallons
- Showering 5 minutes (low flow) - 15 gallons
- Lawn Watering (hand) - 10 gallons
- Dishwasher full cycle - 15 gallons
- Clothes washer full cycle - 60 gallons
- Clothes washer full cycle (water saving) - 15 gallons
- Flushing toilet (regular) - 5 to 7 gallons
- Flushing toilet (low flow) - 1.6 gallons or less
- Leaking toilet - 60 gallons per day
- Washing a car (20 minutes with 5/8" diameter water hose) - 97 gallons
- Washing a car (20 minutes with 5/8" diameter water hose and pistol grip nozzle) - 15 gallons
DO YOU HAVE A GHOST FLUSHER?
Can you hear water running into your toilet tank even though no one flushes? That's a sign that the rubber valve between the tank and the bowl is leaking. When the tank's water level drops far enough, the toilet mechanism lets in more water and makes that noise. Fix or replace the rubber valve to save water.
USE YOUR METER TO FIND LEAKS
Click here for instructions on how to read your water meter and how to use it to check for leaks.
USE YOUR METER TO FIND HOW MUCH WATER IS BEING USED BY YOUR SPRINKLERS
CALCULATE AN EFFECIENT SPRINKLER SCHEDULE
Click here to find out how long to run your sprinklers.
WATER CONSERVATION CHECKLIST
- Check your toilets for leaks.
- Stop using your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
- Put two plastic bottles in your toilet tank.
- Take shorter showers.
- Install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors.
- Turn off the water after wetting your toothbrush.
- Rinse your razor in the sink.
- Check pipes and faucets for leaks.
- User your automatic dishwasher for full loads only.
- If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing.
- Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables.
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator.
- Use your automatic clothes washer for full loads only.
- Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.
- Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps.
- Don't run hose while washing your car.
- Teach your children that your hose and sprinkler are not toys.
- Water your lawn only when it needs it.
- Water during the cool parts of the day.
- Deep-soak your lawn.
- Don't water the gutter.
- Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, and couplings.
Your Score: if you've checked 19-23 items, you're doing an excellent job of saving water, energy, and protecting our environment! 12-18 means you're doing a good job, but there's room for improvement. Less than 12 means that you need to change your habits.
FALL/WINTER
Reduce the amount your automatic sprinklers water in the fall and turn them off in the winter.
Replace your old toilet with a 1.6 gallon low-flow style. You can save up to 5.5 gallons of water per flush. Even if you double-flush, you will still save over 3.5 gallons. You can also receive a rebate for each toilet you replace. Contact the District at 733-2475 for details.
SPRING/SUMMER
Yard watering can account for up to 75% of your domestic water use. The list below outlines some ways to reduce your outside water usage:
- Stop hose and sprinkler leaks.
- Water when your plants show signs of needing water, rather than by a rigid schedule. Dull leaves and wilting are common signs water is needed.
- Water in the evening when the air is still, or early in the morning.
- Sprinkler systems with timers are the most efficient means of watering.
- Measure your sprinkler's delivery. Use a can or coffee mug to collect the spray for 15 minutes. Measure how many inches fall in different areas to make sure the spray is even.
- Dig ground basins around shrubs and trees, or use a soaker.
- Use drip lines in flower beds.
- Aerate laws for better water penetration.
- Prune back heavy foliage, reducing leaf area reduces water needs. Remove weeds.
- Reduce turf.
- Phase in drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, grasses, and native plants such as manzanita, bushpoppies, hollyleaf cherry.
- Adjust your mower for a tall lawn. If you cut your lawn too low, the roots dry out quickly.
- Step on your lawn. If moisture is low, the blades will not spring back. That's the best sign that water is needed.
- Drop by the District office and pick up information on water wise plants.
- Hire a Green Gardener.
Each year, the water supplied to you by Vandenberg Village Community Services District meets or exceeds the State and Federal standards for water quality. The quality of our wastewater can impact the quality of our water. Help prevent pollution to our drinking water source by properly disposing of the chemicals you use in your home. Every household chemical has the potential to pollute the environment and contaminate our water supply. One quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water. Remember, your drain leads to your wastewater disposal system and eventually to our drinking water source. Protect our water by respecting your wastewater system.
Our water quality report/consumer confidence report can be found at http://vvcsd.org/publications/waterqual.htm.