Water Conservation
Water is a precious natural resource vital to our health and welfare as well as the economy of the valley. Because our water supplies are limited, it is important that everyone use water efficiently. SCWD has a long-standing commitment to water conservation and offers a variety of programs, informational materials and incentives to help our water customers become more water efficient.
For most residential customers, focusing on outdoor water use can result in substantial water savings. Saving water is not only good for your pocketbook it will also help protect the valley's future water supply!
 Adjust your sprinklers. Up to 70 percent of residential water use goes to maintaining our yards. Is your irrigation system running every day? That's too much! Reduce watering to three times per week, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and watch the health of your yard improve
Check your system. Do a weekly check for broken or clogged sprinkler head and replace them right away. Make sure you are watering your yard and not the driveway or sidewalk.
Do you see water runoff from your yard each time you water? It could mean the lawn needs aeration. When you aerate your lawn, you give the water somewhere to go besides down the storm drain. |
 Fix those leaks. A quarter gallon per minute leak, or just more than a drip, wastes over 10,000 gallons per month. A leaking flapper on a toilet also increases flows at the water treatment plant.
Plant drought-tolerant plants. Many of the lawns and plants we use are not intended for the unique climate in the Santa Clarita Valley. Visit CLWA's water conservation garden |
.jpg) Use a broom instead of a hose. Sweeping up rather than hosing off leaves or grass clippings not only saves water, but putting them into a green yard waste recycling container saves landfill space as well. |
| Get an adjustable hose nozzle with a shutoff feature for outdoor use. That way you can adjust the spray to meet your needs. Five minutes of an open hose running is the same as a 20-minute shower |
| Take shorter showers. Cutting two minutes off your shower time can save 600 gallons a month for a family of four. If you change the showerhead to a water efficient model that is available from SCWD, you could save even more. |
| Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. |
| Try washing with only full loads. Waiting until you have a full load versus washing many smaller loads can save you up to 20 gallons for the same amount of clothes. |
Outdoor Conservation
Your Lawn
- It's easy to over-water your lawn! A good rain can eliminate the need for watering for as long as two weeks. If your grass springs back up after you step on it, it does not need to be watered.
- Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.
- If you see water runoff from your yard each time you water, it could mean that the lawn needs aeration. When you aerate your lawn, you give the water somewhere to go besides down the storm drain.
Irrigation & Sprinklers
- Don't water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position sprinklers so that water lands on the lawn and shrubs, not paved areas.
- Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use. Microsprinklers, drip irrigation, high efficiency nozzles and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation.
- Do a weekly check for broken or clogged sprinkler heads and replace them right away.
Gardening
- Raise your lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds in soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
- Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water especially in the
summer months. Don't fertilize monthly; instead, apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
- Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.
- Plant drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. They require less watering and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering
Maintenance
- Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas
- Outfit your hose with a nozzle that stops water flow completely when not actually using the water. Remember to turn off the water at the faucet when you are finished using the hose.
- Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a timer to remind yourself to turn it off.
- Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly. Replace hose washers to eliminate leaks.
Car Wash
- Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. Ask at the car wash if they recycle water: often they will display a sign stating that they do.
- If you wash your own car, use a bucket for the soapy water and a shut-off nozzle for your hose.
General Water Saving Guidelines
- Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid the purchase of recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.
- Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers on public property, etc.) to your SCWD.
- Support projects that will lead to an increased use of recycled water for irrigation.
- Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and by example.
- Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don't waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a hotel.
- Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Remember, every drop counts. And every person can make a difference!
- Encourage your school to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults. CLWA offers a free School Education Program for Santa Clarita Valley students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Business & Commercial Customers
Commercial customers click here to download a water conservation checklist for your business.
Every type of business those with or without landscaping, from industrial to store-front can save water and cut down on water bills. Not only will water conservation help guarantee a reliable water source in coming years, but it is also fiscally responsible. Conserving water is good business for us all.
The SCWD is always working to help valley businesses save water and money. By making changes to daily operations, every type of businesses from industrial to storefront, with or without landscaping can help ensure a reliable water source in coming years. Set an example for fellow business owners and make a commitment to water conservation today. You can significantly lower water bills by following the checklist below.
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Designate a water conservation coordinator. The water conservation coordinator will involve employees in your business efficiency efforts and will assist in the implementation of water conservation practices. This person should review the water bill monthly for indications of leaks, spikes in water use or other problems. |
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Request landscape staff reduce outdoor watering to no more than three times per week between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Regularly check and fix broken sprinkler heads and look for water runoff. |
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Install water-saving devices at the workplace such as high efficiency toilets, urinals and faucet aerators. As you replace other equipment at your business, consider equipment that uses less water. |
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Dry sweep pavement, sidewalks and driveways instead of hosing them down. |
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Incorporate drought-tolerant plants into landscaping and group plants that have the same watering requirements together. |
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Detect and immediately repair all leaks. Leaks can be detected by periodically shutting off water valves and reading water meters. If a dial on the meter moves, then water is being is still being used and there may be a leak |
