Surviving SoCal's unprecedented water restrictions: A simple, no-nonsense guide
With unprecedented water restrictions now in place across Southern California, many are questioning how life will change and whether residents can actually conserve.
Here are 10 things to consider as the new restrictions — most notably limiting outdoor watering to one or two days a week — set in.
1. Save the trees
Officials are stressing that even if less watering causes lawns to go brown, it's essential to maintain trees, which provide shade and help replenish groundwater, among many other benefits.
2. Grey water is a solution
Grey water is the water from faucets, showers, bathtubs, washing machines — anything that’s not laden with human waste, food or toxic chemicals. It can be used for irrigation of plants.
3. Dirty cars, unflushed toilets and other household savings
There are a lot of things you can do around the house to save water, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the laundry room and the garage. And that's just inside.
4. The drought shower is here
Just what is the right length of time for a shower? Is it the national average of eight minutes, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates uses more than a trillion gallons each year? Is it the so-called Navy shower — water on for 30 seconds, lather, rinse for a minute or so?
5. The lawn question
With drought conditions persisting, is it time to just put the green lawn out of its misery? Here's what many people are doing to save water.
6. Triage for your vegetable garden
We’re going to have to change our ways and give our beloved veggie gardens some tough love in order to get them through the drought. But experts say it's possible — and vital.
7. Swimming pools survive — for now
For now, there are few restrictions on swimming pools. That does not sit well with some, who feel it sends a mixed message during the drought, but some experts say it makes sense.
8. This is how much water we need to save
The restrictions have one urgent goal in mind: a 35% reduction in water consumption, equating to an allocation of about 80 gallons per person per day. Currently, the average potable water use across the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's service area — including residential, commercial and industrial water use — amounts to 125 gallons per person per day.
9. Will there be water cops?
In previous droughts, some agencies had "water cops" looking for wasters. This time, many agencies are again planning to ramp up patrols to ensure that people are complying. They’re also going to keep an eye out for waste, such as water that’s flowing into gutters. The goal is education, but fines are also possible for repeat offenders.
10. You might not be covered by the water restrictions. But it's a good idea to go along.
It all comes down to where communities get their water from. MWD's water restrictions affect about 6 million people in areas dependent on State Water Project supplies. But Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned of mandatory statewide restrictions if conservation — which has been lagging — does not improve.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
