Rules and Recommendations to Conserve Water in San Jose

Water conservation is important everywhere, even during times when water is seemingly abundant. After all, while much of California is no longer in a drought, the Santa Clara Valley Water District still has water conservation rules in effect. Be sure to follow all the rules and heed other tips to conserve water in your San Jose home.

Permanent Water Conservation Rules and Recommendations

Despite the current lack of drought conditions, the governor of California has urged all residents to continue making water-wise decisions. This includes the following:

• Avoid irrigation methods that result in runoff.
• Don’t irrigate within 48 hours of measurable rainfall (one-quarter inch or more).
• Refrain from using drinking-quality water to wash driveways or sidewalks.
• Odd-numbered addresses: water on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• Even-numbered addresses: water on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
• Water in the morning or the evening—watering is not permitted between 10 am and 8 pm.
• Equip garden hoses with automatic shut-off nozzles before washing cars, boats, and other vehicles.

Other Water Conservation Tips

While these aren’t formal rules, they can help you conserve even more water:

• Check for leaks in your faucets and pipes. Even a slow leak of 20 drips per minute can waste three gallons of water every day, while faster leaks can waste much more.
• Use the trashcan, not the toilet, to dispose of small bits of trash. Not only does this conserve water, but it also helps prevent a clogged drain.
• Test your toilets for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and check back in 15 to 30 minutes. If you see colored water appear in the bowl without flushing, you probably have a leaky flapper. Fortunately, replacing it is a simple task.
• Look for hidden water leaks with your water meter. Read the meter, go two hours without using any water, and check the meter again. If the reading changes, you have a leak somewhere. You may need a plumber to find and repair the leak.
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. These devices are equipped with aerators for water conservation. Showerheads without this feature use water at a rate of 5.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or more, but low-flow showerheads only use 2.5 gpm or less. Likewise, aerated kitchen faucets use 2.2 gpm, and new bathroom faucets restrict the flow rate to 0.5 to 1.5 gpm.
• Combine low-flow faucets and showerheads with water-conserving habits, such as taking shorter showers and turning off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Wait until your dishwasher is full before you run it, and only wash full loads of laundry.

By following these rules and recommendations, you may significantly decrease your water bills, not to mention improve your support of San Jose’s water conservation efforts. For more tips to save water at home, or to schedule a visit from an experienced plumber, please contact Mike Counsil Plumbing today.