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<br />WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE WATER IN'A DRY YEAR? <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />1 <br />I <br />1 <br /> <br />Conservation <br /> <br />There are several measures that are underway at various <br />places in the State to meet the impact of a deficient water supply. <br />One of the first steps was to cut back hydroelectric power pro- <br />duction so that the water going through the generators could <br />also be diverted for use or storage in water deficient areas <br />or to meet Delta outflow requirements. <br /> <br />Conservation of water in a dry year can be accomplished <br />by making less water do the job (possibly with some inconvenience), <br />but is mainly accomplished by cutting out waste of existing sup- <br />plies. <br /> <br />Most conservation in the urban areas can be accomplished <br />more readily than in agricultural areas in the time frame. Both <br />urban and agricultural conservation methods are discussed <br />separately below since they differ from each other. Common <br />to both is the need to make people aware that a problem exists <br />through the media and through direct contact. <br /> <br />Urban Conservation - The Urban Water Conservation Conference held <br />on January 16-17, 1976 in Los Angeles by the Department of Water <br />Resources explored existing means for residential conservation <br />such as low-flow shower heads, efficiency of water use in land- <br />scaping, cleaning of outdoor areas with nonwater using devices, <br />and detection and repair of leaks in waterlines in homes and in <br />delivery systems. Three motivation techniques discussed <br />included rationing, increasing the price of water, and public <br />education. Building code changes can be effective in the long <br />run, but not in the time frame of the current dry year. <br /> <br />Public education is required and the public will <br />respond when it is convinced that a need to conserve really <br />exits. Changes in the cost of water and in price structures <br />can be effective. <br /> <br />Methods which can be used if we are to save water in a <br />dry year are: <br /> <br />a. Place weighted plastic bottles, water dams, <br />or other specific devices in toilets to <br />reduce the gallons per flush. <br /> <br />b. Repair leaky faucets. <br /> <br />c. Minimize lawn watering and have no flooded <br />gutters. <br /> <br />d. Cut down on outdoor washing of cars and eliminate <br />washing of paved areas. <br /> <br />-24- <br />