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Water Saving Tips
Indoor Water Saving Tips
- Don't let the water run when washing the dishes or your hands
- Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water, conserving both water and gas/electric
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold water
- Locate your master water shut-off valve
- Replace old water fixtures (toilets, clothes washers, and showerheads) with the newer low flow fixtures
- Check for leaky faucets and repair them immediately
- Contact the City's Water Use Efficiency Coordinator at jloukeh@chinohills.org for free leak detection cards while supplies last
- Test your toilet for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring/dye tab in the tank
- Food coloring/dye will stain your toilet
- Turn off the water while you shave
- Install faucet aerators on all of your faucets
- Wash full loads of clothes or dishes
- When staying in a hotel, reuse towels, and bedding
Outdoor Water Saving Tips
- Add mulch around trees, shrubs and ground cover to help prevent erosion, reduce water lost to evaporation, and provide insulation
- Aim for "head-to-head" coverage - the spray of one sprinkler should reach the head of the sprinkler closest to it
- Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water such as slopes and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways
- Check to see that your sprinklers are watering the landscape and not any hardscape
- Check to see that your sprinklers are popping up above the grass
- Consult a landscape professional if you have questions about landscape maintenance and/or sprinkler system operation, questions you can ask your landscaper about your irrigation system are:
- How many sprinkler zones/stations do I have?
- How many days does my irrigation system run and for how many minutes per zone?
- Will my irrigation shut off automatically if it rains or do I have to shut it off manually?
- Group plants with the same water needs together or place them on the same irrigation cycle
- Hand water dry spots with a hose with a shut-off nozzle
- If you notice brown spots on your lawn, check sprinklers to see if any of the heads are twisted
- Inspect for broken or misaligned sprinklers
- Locate your master water shut-off valve (if there is one)
- Only water your lawn when needed - if you leave footprints on the lawn when walking on it, it's time to water
- Reduce runoff by watering with shorter irrigation cycles, landscapes can only absorb so much water before it runs off to the street
- Repair leaks promptly, leaks do not repair themselves and often lead to bigger leaks
- Test the moisture in your soil with a screwdriver; if it goes in easily, you are most likely overwatering
- Use a broom and sweep instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalks
- Use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle to prevent water waste when washing the car
- Use drip irrigation systems for watering the roots of trees, shrubs, and flowers
- If you have leftover water after cleaning vegetables or giving drinking water to your dog, use the leftover water in your plants
Pool and Spa Water Saving Tips
- Install covers on swimming pools and spas and check for leaks around pumps
- Check swimming pool for leaks
- Keep your pool filter and heating system clean and lubricated to make it more efficient
- Operate your pool filter and sweeper during off-peak hours:
- Between 6 pm and noon on weekdays or all day Saturday and Sunday
- Reduce the operating time for your pool filter and sweeper in the winter