SACRAMENTO– Sacramento-area residents reduced their water use by 35 percent in June compared to the same month in 2013, according to an analysis by the Regional Water Authority (RWA), which represents water providers in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo and Sutter counties. The findings come from a review of June water use data submitted to RWA and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board).
“While the June savings are impressive, it is critical that residents continue saving–and do even more, if possible–in July and August,” said Amy Talbot, RWA’s Water Efficiency Program Manager. “Conserving now will help preserve our local water supplies, including Folsom Reservoir, as well as meet water conservation targets set by the State Water Board.”
State-mandated water conservation targets for the Sacramento region range from 20 to 36 percent. Water providers face fines if they do not meet these targets from June 2015 through February 2016. (Conservation targets and each water provider’s watering restrictions can be found here.)
Cutting water use during summer produces significant savings. Last year, for example, the Sacramento region saved 21 percent (or 4.5 billion gallons of water) in July 2014 compared to July 2013.That savings equated to almost 60 percent of the region’s total water use in December 2013.
“Summer represents our greatest opportunity to conserve water, and limiting landscape watering, is the critical path to significant savings,” Talbot said.
Local water providers urge residents to:
- Limit landscape watering, following your water provider’s guidelines. Now is the time to let lawns go golden for the summer but take steps to save trees. (Tips for helping trees endure the drought are available here.)
- Add two to three inches of organic mulch around trees and plants.
- Water your yard early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid overspray and runoff.
Many water providers throughout the region have ramped up their existing services and programs to help customers conserve. Information about watering guidelines and rebate programs, as well as tips for reducing water use, are available at BeWaterSmart.info.
About the Regional Water Authority: RWA is a joint powers authority representing two dozen water providers and affiliates in the greater Sacramento area. Its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources.
