HOW YOU CAN SAVE WATER

Using water wisely ensures that we continue to have a reliable and cost effective water supply in the future.

 Saving Water Outdoors

Use a broom to clean outdoor areas

Saves 8-18 gallons per minute

Adjust sprinkler heads and fix leaks

Saves 12-15 gallons each time you water

Use mulch in your planters to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool

Save 20-30 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. each time you water

Set mower blades to 3”

Encourages deeper roots and saves 16-50 gallons per day

Install drip irrigation & add a Smart Sprinkler Timer

Saves 15 gallons each day you water & saves 24+ gallons per day

Plant California Friendly trees and plants

Saves 30-60 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. each day you water

Saving Water Indoors

The average Californian uses 196 gallons of water per day. Here are some easy ways to reduce water use.

Install faucet aerators

Saves 1.2 gallons per person per day

Wash full loads of clothes and dishes

Washer: Saves 15-45 gallons per load
Dishwasher: Saves 5-15 gallons per load

​​​​​​Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving

Saves 10 gallons per person per day

Shower for only 5 minutes

Saves 12.5 gallons with a water efficient shower head per shower

Install a high-efficiency toilet

Saves 19 gallons per person per day

Fix leaks

Saves 110 gallons each month

Water-Smart Landscaping

Landscape design and maintenance can and should be water efficient.

• Make sure your sprinkler system is functioning properly.
• Adjust your sprinkler schedule to match the season and the weather. Use the Recommended Watering Schedule for guidance.
• Use drip irrigation in planter areas.
• Cover bare soil with mulch to decrease evaporation and increase beautification.
• Water just before dawn for a healthy garden.
• Don’t water on windy days. Wind blows water away from where it is needed.
• Set lawn mower blades higher. Longer grass means less evaporation.
• Remove invasive plants from your garden. They hurt our environment.
• Reduce water-thirsty grass and replace with California-Friendly® plants.
• Take a Turf Removal Workshop - upcoming workshop dates to come

Water Efficient Demonstration Gardens

Mesa Water hosts three water-efficient demonstration gardens that feature California-friendly landscaping and other water saving practices such as smart timers, drip irrigation, bioswales and mulch.

Check for Leaks

Your water meter is usually located between the sidewalk and curb under a cement cover. The meter reads straight across, like the odometer on your car. Read only the white numbers (0895). If you are trying to determine if you have a leak, turn off all the water in your home, both indoor and outdoor faucets, and then check the dial for any movement of the low-flow indicator. If there is movement, that indicates a possible leak between the meter and your plumbing system.

1. Low-flow indicator – will spin if any water is flowing through the meter.
2. Sweep hand – Each full revolution indicates that one cubic foot of water (7.48 gallons) has passed through the meter. The markings at the outer edge of the dial indicate tenths and hundredths of one cubic foot.
3. Meter Register – Similar to the odometer on your car. The numbers keep a running total of all the water that passes through the meter. It indicates the cubic feet of water that has passed through the meter. 

Additional Resources

BeWaterWise.com

This is the Metropolitan Water District's conservation website – it’s a great resource for tips, rebates, and recommended California-friendly plants!

Home Water Works

The residential water calculator can estimate your daily and annual water use. Compare your estimated water use against an average home versus an efficient home in your region.

Save Our Water

Save Our Water is a statewide partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources aimed at helping Californians reduce their everyday water use.