Water is our most precious resource, and we must use it wisely to protect its availability for today and future generations.

Become a drought ambassador today

Help Golden State Water spread the word about important conversation information.

Drought Social Media Toolkit

Outdoor Water-Use Efficiency Tips

Lawns

• Limit lawn irrigation based on Stage 2 drought restrictions. 

• Turn off lawn irrigation systems during rainy periods, and avoid watering during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation.

• Avoid watering your lawn on windy days to limit overspray and evaporation.

• Survey your lawn irrigation system and fix any sprinklers, valves and lines that may be damaged or leaking water.

• Check to make sure sprinklers are positioned to irrigate your lawn and not your sidewalk, driveway or gutters.

• Install a weather-based smart irrigation controller and water-efficient sprinkler heads (rebates available).

• While hand watering your lawn, focus on dry spots and pay close attention to avoid runoff.

Gardens & Trees

• Water gardens based on Stage 2 drought restrictions. 

• Turn off garden irrigation systems during rainy periods, and avoid watering during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation.

• Install a drip irrigation system for your garden, shrubs and trees.

• Deep water trees no more than twice a month in the summer and less in the winter.

• Add mulch around trees and plants to limit evaporation and regulate soil temperature.

• Landscape your garden with California-friendly and drought tolerant plants. 

• Survey your garden irrigation system and fix any sprinklers, valves and lines that may be damaged or leaking water.

• Install a weather-based smart irrigation controller and water-efficient sprinkler heads (rebates available).

General Outdoor Water Use

• When washing cars, use a bucket of water with a quick hose rinse at the end and make sure your hose has a shutoff nozzle. When possible, take your car to a car wash that recycles its water.

• Avoid using drinking water to wash driveways and sidewalks. Use a broom instead.

• Turn off and drain your decorative water fountain or feature during the drought.

• Use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation and keep your pool clean.

• Check and fix any leaks on your outdoor hose bibs. Use a shutoff nozzle whenever using a hose.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping

What works the best for your landscape

Indoor Water-Use Efficiency Tips

Bathrooms

• Survey your bathroom plumbing and fix any faucets or plumbing fixtures that may be leaking.
• Fix leaky toilets. Put 3 or 4 drops of food coloring in your toilet tank and wait 15 minutes, any color that appears in the bowl without flushing indicates a leak.
• Install high-efficiency shower heads and faucet aerators (available for free from Golden State Water).
• Choose a short shower over a bath. A bath can use up to 70 gallons of water.
• Capture the cool water in your shower and faucets while waiting for hot water. Use the water on your plants.
• Keep showers to 5 minutes.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.

Kitchens

• Survey your kitchen plumbing and fix any faucets or plumbing fixtures that may be leaking.
• Wait to run full loads of laundry and dishes.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink instead of letting the water run.
• Scrape dishes into the garbage instead of running your garbage disposal.
• Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator to beat the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
• Wash vegetables and fruits in a pan of water instead of under running water. Use the rinse water on your plants.
• Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
• Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.

Additional Resources

• How To Read Your Water Meter
• Save Our Water
• Interactive Map To Improve Water-Use Efficiency At Your Property
• EPA’s Water Sense® Program
• Be Water Wise Program – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Get Flume for $25 after rebate from Golden State Water