Conservation Tips

Why Conserve?

Why do we need to conserve water?

If you have lived in California for any length of time, you know droughts come and go. When droughts come, we all cut back on our water use. When droughts go, it’s easy to fall back into our water-wasting ways. But we can’t afford to do that this time around, and here’s why.

Growing Population

We have the same amount of water today as we did centuries ago, and yet, the state’s population continues to grow.

Delta in Trouble

Nearly two-thirds of Californians receive water transported through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and it’s in trouble. The network of waterways and levees that make up the Delta need significant investment, and even then, too little water flowing through the Delta could hurt sensitive ecosystems. Here in Hollister, approximately 60% of the urban water supply originates from this system.

Groundwater Sustainability

Groundwater is an important local resource. We need to reduce our use to ensure we don’t harm underground aquifers. Our groundwater basin also gets us through times of drought when there is little imported water. The Hollister Urban Area derives approximately 40% of its water supply from this resource.

Conservation isn’t difficult, but it is essential

The main thing to remember is to be efficient with your water use and don’t let any go to waste. The Water Resources Association of San Benito County has several programs and services to assist you with conserving this precious resource.

  • Remove or downsize lawn. Switch out high-water use lawns to low-water use plants more appropriate to California’s dry climate by applying to our Turf Removal Rebate Program (create link to redirect to Turf Removal program).
  • Limit turf areas. A lawn requires more irrigation than almost any other landscape feature. Limit its size to just what you need. Consider replacing at least part of your lawn with a deck, paving, or lower water-use plants. Avoid narrow strips of lawn (along sidewalks, for example) because they cannot be irrigated efficiently. And consider using drip or micro-spray for borders and non-turf areas. There are many books at the the Hollister and San Juan Bautista libraries on this and related subjects.
  • Use mulch. To reduce weeds, slow erosion, and reduce moisture loss through evaporation, apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch or compost over soil around plants.

Call the Water Resources Association San Benito County for a FREE irrigation system check. A water conservation technician will evaluate your irrigation system and provide recommendations and do minor adjustments. The technician will adjust your irrigation controller for the current weather and/or season.

  • Change your irrigation timer with the seasons. Did you know that your landscaping needs different amounts of water during spring, summer, and fall? For example, in April, your landscaping will only need about half the water it uses in July. And many types of landscaping require no irrigation during the winter months. A free residential water survey can help you set up a seasonal watering schedule.
  • Practice Smart Watering. Knowing when and how long to water can save you thousands of gallons per year. How do I know when my landscaping needs water? Grass needs to be watered when footprints remain after someone walks on it. Watering in the early morning is best because less is lost to evaporation. In the summer, grass should be watered 2-3 times per week. Shrubs, on the other hand, do well when watered once a week, or less. Large shrubs and trees prefer deep, infrequent watering.
  • Minimize evaporation. Water between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid the hottest times of the day. Maintaining a 2–3-inch layer of organic mulch around plants and over bare soil holds moisture in the soil and reduces loss to evaporation. 
  •  Eliminate runoff. Check your irrigation system frequently and adjust sprinklers and/or emitters for overspray and runoff. Many irrigation systems apply water at a faster rate than the soil can soak it in.  Give the soil a chance to absorb the water and avoid runoff by dividing your watering into multiple shorter cycles per day instead of one long run time. This practice, known as “cycle and soak” allows water to soak in before more water is added.
  • Practice hydro-zoning. Group plants with similar water needs in hydro-zones, and water the zones independently of zones with different water needs. In addition, different irrigation equipment types, such as sprinklers and drip irrigation, should not be mixed in one zone or valve. Hydrozones allow plants to receive only as much water as they need and can protect them from being over or under-irrigated as a result of being grouped with plants that do not share the same water needs.
  • How much Water? When a landscape needs water, enough should be applied to wet the soil as deep as the plants roots extend. For grass, this is about 6 inches below the surface. The type of soil has a great deal to do with how much water is needed. Soil types in San Benito County tend to be clay. Because clay soils absorb water slowly, the rate of flow coming out of the sprinkler should be as low as possible, so that water is absorbed and does not pool or become lost as runoff. If you see water running onto the sidewalk, into the gutter, or pooling in low areas, runoff is occurring. If runoff is still a problem after the rate of flow has been adjusted, consider watering for shorter periods of time. 

Call the Water Resources Association San Benito County for a FREE irrigation system check. A water conservation technician will evaluate your irrigation system and provide recommendations and do minor adjustments. The technician will adjust your irrigation controller for the current weather and/or season.

  • Change your irrigation timer with the seasons. Did you know that your landscaping needs different amounts of water during spring, summer, and fall? For example, in April, your landscaping will only need about half the water it uses in July. And many types of landscaping require no irrigation during the winter months. A free residential water survey can help you set up a seasonal watering schedule.
  • Practice Smart Watering. Knowing when and how long to water can save you thousands of gallons per year. How do I know when my landscaping needs water? Grass needs to be watered when footprints remain after someone walks on it. Watering in the early morning is best because less is lost to evaporation. In the summer, grass should be watered 2-3 times per week. Shrubs, on the other hand, do well when watered once a week, or less. Large shrubs and trees prefer deep, infrequent watering.
  • Minimize evaporation. Water between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid the hottest times of the day. Maintaining a 2–3-inch layer of organic mulch around plants and over bare soil holds moisture in the soil and reduces loss to evaporation. 
  •  Eliminate runoff. Check your irrigation system frequently and adjust sprinklers and/or emitters for overspray and runoff. Many irrigation systems apply water at a faster rate than the soil can soak it in.  Give the soil a chance to absorb the water and avoid runoff by dividing your watering into multiple shorter cycles per day instead of one long run time. This practice, known as “cycle and soak” allows water to soak in before more water is added.
  • Practice hydro-zoning. Group plants with similar water needs in hydro-zones, and water the zones independently of zones with different water needs. In addition, different irrigation equipment types, such as sprinklers and drip irrigation, should not be mixed in one zone or valve. Hydrozones allow plants to receive only as much water as they need and can protect them from being over or under-irrigated as a result of being grouped with plants that do not share the same water needs.
  • How much Water? When a landscape needs water, enough should be applied to wet the soil as deep as the plants roots extend. For grass, this is about 6 inches below the surface. The type of soil has a great deal to do with how much water is needed. Soil types in San Benito County tend to be clay. Because clay soils absorb water slowly, the rate of flow coming out of the sprinkler should be as low as possible, so that water is absorbed and does not pool or become lost as runoff. If you see water running onto the sidewalk, into the gutter, or pooling in low areas, runoff is occurring. If runoff is still a problem after the rate of flow has been adjusted, consider watering for shorter periods of time. 

Check for Leaks
One of the most common reasons for a suddenly high water bill is an undetected leak on your property. Finding and repairing water leaks on your property can save you water, which means you save money and conserve water.

  • Replace your older model toilets with new ultra-low-flush models. Did you know that you can save thousands of gallons of water a year with this one simple change.
  • Check your toilets for leaks. Drop a dye tablet or a teaspoon of food coloring (avoid red) in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, you probably need to replace the “flapper” valve. The WRASBC has FREE toilet flappers. Or we’ll install it for you FREE of charge! As long as you schedule a Home Water Survey with us. 
  • Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
  • While waiting for hot water to come through the pipes, catch water in a bucket or watering can. You can use it later to water plants, run your garbage disposal or pour into the toilet tank to flush.
  • Replace your regular showerheads with low-flow showerheads. Keep your showers to five minutes or less using a low-flow showerhead.  The Water Conservation Department offers FREE home water checkups and water conservation kits.
  • Turn off the water while lathering up in the shower, and then turn the water back on to quickly rinse.
  • Take shallow baths in no more than 3 inches of water.
  • Never let water run from the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Develop water-conscious habits when showering, shaving, brushing teeth
  • Intro: Here are ways you can save water in your kitchen
  • If you have a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load.
  • Hand wash dishes just once a day using the least amount of detergent possible and a dishpan instead of running water. Use a sprayer or short blasts of water to rinse.
  • Scrape food scraps off dishes into the garbage can or rinse them off with very short blasts of water.
  • Never use hot, running water to defrost frozen foods. Plan ahead and place frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or use a microwave oven to defrost them.
  • Rinse vegetables and fruits in either a sink or pan filled with water instead of running water. Collect the water you use for houseplants.
  • See the EPA’s Water Efficiency Management Guide for details about Energy Star-labeled dishwashers that save energy and water.
  • Intro: A lot of water is used when we do laundry. The average washing machine uses about 30 gallons per load and older models can use more than 40 gallons per load. But there are several ways we can use water more efficiently when washing our clothes.
  • When doing laundry, never wash less than a full load.
  • Remove clothes from your washer to avoid having to rinse or wash them a second time.
  • Many washing machines have an option for an extra rinse cycle. Most times when you wash clothes you can skip this step and save water.
  • Consider replacing old washing machines with water and energy-conserving front-loading models- you can save up to 50% on water and electricity costs!!!
  • If possible, invest in a high-efficiency clothes washer.
  • Install a graywater system to reuse water from your washing machine (learn about graywater systems on our “Conservation Tips” page)

The WRA offers free water saving devices if you call to schedule a free in-home water survey to assess your home. Our water conservation technician will do minor adjustments and give recommendations so you can conserve water and save money.

The following are free water saving devices the WRA provides based on your household needs:

  • According to EPA WaterSense, showering uses about 20% of the total water used indoor. Upgrade to a WaterSense labeled showerhead to save thousands of gallons of water yearly. 
  • For more water and money savings, you can reduce showers to 5-minutes and help conserve water in your home.
  • According to EPA WaterSense, showering uses about 20% of the total water used indoor. Upgrade to a WaterSense labeled showerhead to save thousands of gallons of water yearly. 
  • For more water and money savings, you can reduce showers to 5-minutes and help conserve water in your home.
  • Faucet aerators are screens that cover the faucet opening where water comes out. According to the EPA, when you change over to WaterSense faucet aerators you can save up to 700 gallons of water per year!
  • Watch an instructional video on how to change out your faucet aerator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFQiIU_zJ5U
  • Leaking toilets can cause you to waste thousands of gallons of water which will then make your monthly water bill spike and hurt your pockets!
  • We offer free toilet flappers when you book an appointment with us for a free home water survey.
  • According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), toilets are the main source of water use inside your home, accounting for 25% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. 
  • Older, inefficient toilets use about 6 gallons per flush compared to WaterSense Labeled toilets which only use 1.28 gallons per flush. 
  • Look for the WaterSense label when buying a new toilet 
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