Earth
Day, April 22, 2021, will be upon us soon, so the San Lorenzo Valley Water
District (SLVWD) wants to remind the public that taking measures at home to
conserve water not only saves money, but benefits the greater community.
Boulder Creek, CA, April 08,
2021 — Earth Day, April 22, 2021, will be upon us soon, so the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) wants to
remind the public that taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves
money, but benefits the greater community. Since October 2020 the San Lorenzo
Valley has only received approximately 18 inches of rainfall compared to the
typical water year (October through September) average of 46 inches.
While most of California is
partially or wholly dependent upon snowfall in the Sierras for their water
supply, the SLVWD relies on local rainfall
only. This means we must make do with whatever rainfall has seeped deep into
the ground and stored in our underground aquifers, as well as what is flowing
and stored in our local rivers, creeks or reservoir. Due to our heavy reliance
on groundwater (and our wells that we pump from) it can take years of average
rainfall to make up for past drought conditions.
In addition, weather patterns are
changing. We can expect longer and drier droughts, coupled with more frequent
and severe flooding. Warming temperatures are changing rain and snowfall
patterns and rising sea levels are expected to have profound effects on our
ability to manage water supplies now and in the future. That’s why water use
efficiency strategies will continue to be more and more important for the San
Lorenzo Valley.
By using water-saving features you
can reduce your in-home water use by up to 35%. This means the average San
Lorenzo Valley household, which uses 72,000 gallons annually, could save up to
25,00 gallons of water per year. In addition to saving money on your utility
bill, conserving water also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with
treating and distributing water, along with the associated cost to operate
these services.
Conserving water can also extend
the life of your septic system. Simply put, the less water entering your septic
system, the less water your septic system has to treat. Maintaining and
avoiding overloading your septic system will help extend its lifespan and
reduce potential contamination of groundwater, nearby lakes and streams, and
even your home’s drinking water.
The most effective way to save
water is to upgrade to efficient fixtures. Installing low-flow aerators,
showerheads, tank banks and other water-saving devices can be can be done by
homeowners with minimal tools. Here are five ways you can save water at home:
1. Install Low or Dual-Flush
Model Toilets
Federal regulations state that new
toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Replacing an old toilet
with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 1.6-gallon or lower flush model represents a 70%
savings in water and can cut indoor water use by about 30%. Alternatively,
consider purchasing a dual-flush toilet or installing a dual flush converter
that turns a standard toilet into a dual-flush toilet, can save an average
family 15,000 gallons of water each year.
The District is offering two
residential toilet rebate options ranging from $75 up to $200 depending on the
gallon per flush of the original toilet you replace. Rebate eligibility
requirements and applications are listed on the District’s Rebate Program page
at https://www.slvwd.com/conservation/pages/rebate-program.
2. Consider a High-Efficiency
Washing Machine
The most efficient washing
machines use as little as seven gallons per load, compared to a whopping 54 for
a traditional washer. A high efficiency (HE) washer can easily pay for itself
over its lifetime in water and energy savings. New Energy Star-rated washers
use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load.
If you’re in the market for a new
clothes washer, the District offers a credit of up to $100 to customers who
purchase and install a high-efficiency washing machines. Rebate eligibility
requirements and applications are listed on the District’s Rebate Program page
at https://www.slvwd.com/conservation/pages/rebate-program.
3. Install Water-Saving
Showerheads, and Shower Timers
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow
showerheads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Long showers
can use five to 10 gallons every minute. “Low-flow” means it uses less than 2.5
gallons per minute. You can easily install a low-flow showerhead, or add a ShowerStart
converter to existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower
once it gets warm. Or take shorter showers!
The District offers free low-flow
shower heads to District customers. Contact customer service at customerservice@SLVWD.com for more information.
4. Fit Household Faucets with
Aerators
This easy and effective home water
conservation method is also the cheapest! Aerators are used to reduce the
volume of water that comes out of your kitchen or bathroom faucet.
The District offers free aerators
for both bathrooms and kitchens to District customers. Contact customer service
at customerservice@SLVWD.com for more information.
5. Check Your Toilets for Leaks
Put a food coloring in your toilet
tank without flushing, if the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30
minutes, you may have a leak that should be repaired. Most replacement parts
are inexpensive and easy to install. To check for leaks, go to
https://www.slvwd.com/conservation/pages/how-test-leaks.
For more water-saving tips, go to:
watersavingtips.org.
The District is proud of the water
conservation efforts our community has taken and wants to extend a thank-you to
all of its residents for being passionate about the environment and saving
water!
About the District
The San Lorenzo Valley Water
District was established in 1941 as an independent special district. The
District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected at-large from
within the District’s service area.
A special district is a local
government agency formed by voters to perform a needed service, such as water
or sewer. The District’s boundaries comprise approximately 60 square miles and
190 miles of pipeline.
The District currently provides
service to approximately 7,900 residential, commercial, and institutional
connections. The District relies on both surface water and groundwater
resources, including nine currently active stream diversions, one groundwater
spring, and eight active groundwater wells. The District owns, operates, and
maintains two water systems from separate water sources. These sources are
derived solely from rainfall within the San Lorenzo River watershed.
The District owns, operates, and
maintains a wastewater system in Boulder Creek’s Bear Creek Estates, which
serves approximately 56 homes.
Website: slvwd.com
Phone: (831) 338-2153
Fax: (831) 338-7986
Emergency Numbers:
After-hour emergencies: (831)
338-2153
Address:
San Lorenzo Valley Water District
13060 Hwy 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR LLC
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-7455
https://www.slvwd.com