Summer is here! In California’s Central Valley, where the climate is dry and hot,  residential water use typically rises during the summer season. Many people increase their irrigation of dry lawns and landscaping, fill seasonal pools, and cool off with sprinklers. It’s important to be mindful of your water usage during the summer months, or you may be shocked to see your water bill! At Plumbers911, we know you care about how much water you use, and how much it costs you. Here are a few simple ways you save water this summer, so you can help conserve this precious resource, and save money at the same time!

  1. Water Wise Outside! You can practice smart water use outside by watering your lawn at optimal times of the day. Water evaporates quickly when the sun is high, so it’s best to water your lawn in the early morning or in the evening, when it’s more likely to stay in the soil. Also, make sure your sprinkler system is watering the lawn, not the sidewalk. You might also consider installing a drip irrigation system, which can work even better than sprinklers, as it sends targeted amounts of water exactly where you want it. 
  2. Check for Leaks! Leaky faucets, toilets, appliances and sprinklers can waste a lot of water over time. Check your toilet for leaks with a simple test: put a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into your toilet tank; if the color shows up in the bowl, your tank is leaking. It could be wasting up to 100 gallons of water a day! Fix those leaks, and save water and money.
  3. Keep your Shower Short! Showers use as much as 80% less water than a bath, but keep your shower short if you want to maximize your water savings. A shower for five minutes will use about 10 to 15 gallons of water, while a bath can use up to 70 gallons of water.  
  4. Turn off the Tap! Leaving the water running while you brush teeth is a huge water-waster, so try turning the tap off while you brush. By turning off the water while you are brushing your teeth, you could save more than 200 gallons of water in a single month! (EPA)
  5. Wash Laundry and Dishes Wisely: Washing machines and dishwashers can use up gallons of water, so it’s important to make sure you use these appliances wisely. Wait until you have enough for a full load before you run the machine, this will save you water, as well as electricity. If you need to wash a smaller load, adjust the water level on the machine accordingly.

Take these simple steps and you can save water this summer, and save on your water bill. If you want to take your efforts one step further, consider purchasing water-efficient faucets, laundry washers, toilets and dishwashers. Making the move to purchase water- and energy-efficient appliances will save you not only on your water bill, but also on your electricity bill. You may even be eligible for a program to help pay the expense of switching over!

Want more help identifying ways you can save water? Contact Plumbers911! Plumbers911 is a nationwide network of experienced, trustworthy plumbing experts. If you are in California’s Central Valley, you can turn to our Tracy, Fresno, Stockton, and Modesto plumbers. No matter where you are in the Central Valley, you can call us for a thorough audit of your home and our professionals will check for leaks or any other sources of wasted water. If you have any other plumbing issue, we can help with that too. Don’t hesitate to give us a call – Call Plumbers911 today!