Conservation Still Important, Even During Winter Months 

Although the winter rains have arrived, it’s still too early to tell if 2010 will be a drought-busting year. With this fact in mind, the Alameda County Water District is calling on you to continue to use water as wisely as possible.

Despite recent rainfall, your help will be needed to ensure an adequate water supply for the Tri-city area. “It’s not likely that this drought is going away anytime soon,” said Marty Koller, ACWD Board President. “Even if we’re inundated with rain for the remainder of the winter and spring, court decisions regarding how much water can be pumped from the Delta have created a manmade drought. These decisions have significantly reduced the amount of water we can receive from the Delta. Only leadership from the State will help to alleviate this aspect of the drought,” Koller continued.

The more you conserve now, the less chance there will be of a water shortage during the coming summer if the drought continues. Here are some practical water saving tips you can employ that will help us all to weather the drought:

• Turn off sprinkler systems during the wet winter months.
• Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering the sidewalk or driveway.
• Water landscaping no more than three days per week and water in the morning before the sun is overhead.
• Put in drip irrigation for shrubs, trees, and gardens.
• Reduce lawn areas and choose drought tolerant plants for your landscape.
• Use a broom rather than a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways.
• Get your car washed at a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Take shorter showers (no more than five minutes).
• Find and fix leaks.
• Install high-efficiency clothes washers. 

 

Helpful Links

California Depatment of Water Resources Drought Page

h2ouse.org

Save our Water