Community Partner, Santa Margarita Water District asks Ladera residents to reduce outdoor watering by one day a week.
As California enters its third consecutive year of drought and one of the driest years on record, local water provider, Santa Margarita Water District, is asking everyone for a 15% reduction in water use.
“15% may sound like a lot, but if everyone takes just one day off from outdoor watering we can reach our goal,” said President Justin McCusker. “This means homeowners, businesses, landscapers, and HOAs water just three days a week instead of four or two instead of three to help out during the drought.”
Don’t have a yard or other landscaping? No problem. Everyone can help out during the drought:
Around your home:
- Take 5-minutes showers; you’ll save 12.5 gallons per shower. Stop by our office for a timer!
- Turn off the water when you’re brushing teeth and washing your hands. That will save 8 gallons of water each time.
- Fill the bathtub just halfway. You’ll get just as clean and you’ll save 25 gallons per bath
Around your yard:
- Take a break, water just one day less each week
- Upgrade to water-wise, drought-resilient plants. That’ll save 30–60 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. each time you water
- Fix leaks within 48 hours (we can help; give us a call or visit smwd.com/SaveWater)
- Use a broom to clean outdoor areas instead of a hose. You’ll save 6 gallons a minute
Santa Margarita Water District serves over 9.8 billion gallons of drinking water each year. Roughly 80% of it is imported from hundreds of miles away in northern California and the Colorado River and it’s at risk of natural and regulatory drought. The State Water Resources Control Board – the agency responsible for regulating California’s water supply – issued a request for voluntary water reductions several months ago; mandatory reductions are expected as the drought worsens.
The district is also doing its part to help out and ensure local, reliable, and sustainable water supplies. It’s invested $23 million in water supply projects to reduce its dependence on imported water. In the past year, the District completed the annexation of the city of San Juan Capistrano’s water and sewer utility (that includes a water treatment plant with direct access to groundwater,) put 326 million gallons of recycled water into Orange County’s largest recycled water reservoir at Trampas Canyon, and is gearing up to construct its first drinking water treatment plant in Rancho Mission Viejo.
“All three of these efforts are important pieces in our water supply portfolio,” McCusker said. Learn more about how to save water by visiting smwd.com/SaveWater.
