Finally, San Diego got some rain. Over 2 inches of it in most places. But don't let this lull you into thinking that the need for water conservation has somehow ended. It hasn't.
The reservoirs are very low, there are going to be cutbacks in the supply of water we purchase, the water rates are going up again and we will not be able to fill the need for water.
So what does all this mean to you the consumer here in San Diego? It spells the greater possibility of M-A-N-D-A-T-O-R-Y water restrictions.
For a lot of years running, San Diego, in fact all of California's population has been exploding. Developments of every sort are filling up the land. People have been migrating in large numbers to California. Meanwhile, we haven't added one sustainable drop of water to the supply.
It has to strike you ( sooner, if not later ) that with our droughts and no other means for water, at some point there won't be enough to spread around. Thinking you might need to shower with bottled water from Costco? Not going to happen. Beside those poly-whatever kind of bottles are piling up in the landfills and they are not biodegradable. But they are made of chemicals aren't they? Disaster looms on that issue but that is another post for another time. Back to the water shortage and the need for conservation.
There are ways to cut back on consumption voluntarily, if there is any hope of stretching supplies. So it's either we do it voluntarily or it will be mandated. The former would be preferable to having your water supplies cut off or greatly curtailed.
Here are 10 easy ways to help you curtail excessive water usage.
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William, in many areas of the country they say WATER will be our most precious resource soon with the population increases. All great tips you have here.
Hi Gary, Thanks for commenting and you point is well taken. I was excited by the prospect that we could generate a renewed supply of water by desalination. It seems that more people are against that , as though we would be robbing the sea of its content. I really don't get where so many people are coming these days. They waste the resources and then complain when we don't have enough and pay to much and then block efforts to use what is in plentiful supply elsewhere ( the oceans). Not only have we wrecked the economy and destroyed fortunes of wealth, we are also teaching people how to be dumb, dumber and dumbest. I could rant on this for hours, but for the sake of the blog post, I will stop here.
Oh my goodness. I have spent a bloody fortune converting much of my lot to maintenance reduced landscaping and eliminating grass. We got truck loads and truck loads of mulch at the county landfill and recycling center.
I treat my lot like an artist's pallet and I'm creating small niches of landscaping, sitting, picnic areas with spring bulbs and blossoming perennials.
It's fun.
Hi Lenn, If only we could teach people living in California to do and think the way you do. Living in the desert as much of Southern Californian was originally and still is, despite the way we try to make it look differently, it is amazing to me how humans think they can do a better job with things than God did when he designed it. For now at least until much of Southern California is either in the ocean ( after the big earthquake) or the weather patterns change and we get some monsoon rains year after year, the only way to make the limited resources stretch is to conserve.
Hi William! Great tips for water conservation (and I love your graphic too)! We have just been removed from mandatory water conservation two days a week and find ourselves sticking to those measures which we learned before--there's really no need to be wasteful and that is what we WERE being!!
William,
"When running water to get to the hot water - don't let that water go down the drain. Capture it in buckets for use on your plans for your landscaping."really? I'll believe it when you post video!
"Take shorter showers." Better yet! Shower with a friend!
"Replace the old toilets with new low flow toilets." These dirty things are only a small step better than an out house!
Please ad: When Californians move to Las Vegas, remember it's a desert! Don't plant grass I mean lawns, too. I know it's the same word with different meaning.
Bill
William- when we were living in San Diego from 1985-2001, we did all of those things. We had a big 5 gallon paint bucket in each bath tub to carry the "warm up" water out to water the plants. We even used a gallon jug in the kitchen to catch the water that was warming up for the dishes . SEE Wiliam A. above- we really did do that.
Note- our yard was not lush and green- we used the water more for dust control! And to water the fruit trees.
Back then everyone was converting their toilets to 1.5 gallon flushes, the shower heads to low flow, putting in xeriscape, etc. I remember even back then the Officials saying that this would help, but with the amount of people migrating into California and the fact that No more reservoirs were being built, the next time there was a drought there would be very little that we could do.
Now they're finding out that it's come true.
When we moved to North Caroliina I was thrilled to see everything green! Last year we had a drought- meaning it only rained once a week rather than everyday. Same advice was being given though then as it was to us in CA years ago. My family didn't need to learn or change a thing. Once a Californian, always a Californian. We're into saving and conserving the environment always.
Your conservation ideas are good ones for anyone anywhere, not just San Diego. Great list.
William - rain itself is never going to solve the water problems and we all need to do more regarding conservation. Much of that is education, adn making the commitment. I know I can certainly do a better job. Thanks for this important reminder.
Jeff
Hi Debe, When you think about it, once you get used to thinking of water as a resource and not just something that is always available, it does make us better citizens. Being wasteful with water is so easy to do when were are not conscious about it.
William,
So true, water is such a huge issue here! Thanks for the info.
Hi William, I actuaLly do this. I actually use large plastic bottles and after I fill them I usually let them sit in the garage and I us them to water the a whole bunch of containerized plants outside. I have a half dozen of Interior plants and I hide the re-fillable bottle of water behind the plant, needing only about a 1/3 at a time. They are lush and they are watered by water that would be just run down the drain .
Hi Linda, I surely know what you mean. I get back east about once a year and I marvel at how green and lush everything is. Hovever, if you have ever been to Palm Desert, it is totally lush and unlike most of Southern Ca. So beautiful. But I will say my recollection of North Carolina with the mountains and forested areas are spectacular.
Hi Margaret, They are pretty general I guess. But usually the NorthEast does not suffer these year after year droughts and folks here need the reminder to conserve. Out water problems are becoming major here. If the market had kept going with constantly building new subdivisions as was the case through 2006, there is not enough water to support all the people that live here and with the cut back in our being able to buy water from the Colorado River ( also at very low levels)it is becoming very critical.
Hi Jeff, We all need to try. Our water issues will start making news as the conservation techniques are getting more press play with the reminder message that things are getting more expensive and that the reservoirs are seriously low. The court as you remember said San Diego will have its supply cut back from the River Delta soon because of the Smelt that were being killed in the filtration system and the environmentalists won their case.
Hi Lynda, Thank you so much for dropping over. I seem to write a lot about our water issues but I can only hope that people get the message that we are getting into a serious problem here. I am for more desalination plants and if we don't soon get some of these thing underway, who will want to own property here with no lawns and curtailed water usage with bills in the stratosphere. I think of trying to get citizens to be responsible with water use as actually trying to help protect people's property values.
Yes, shower with a friend is good! BTW, I haven't forgotten you asked how I do my market reports! Taking broker-in-charge class (today last day) and will get back to you. XXOO
Hi William,
Glad to hear you got some rain but you are right to remind people that conservation is still important. It really can be quite painless, it just takes a little thought and planning.
this is an important post and a great list, for anywhere int he country or world, however, it is especially here in great phoenix and the desert
I am pretty good about conserving water but I have to admit...for brushing my teeth I sometimes forget ...I will turn it off from now on.
Great tips William. What long range plan is in place....or is there one? How about a rain barrell?
That drop of water is cool!
William--We are fortunate to live in a state without restrictions...It is surprising that there are water shortages in this country, especially in a state like California. I remember your desaliation post so it is obviously something you know and care about. As always, good information!