Water Saving Tips

The City of Garden Grove is one of the few cities in Orange County to be a signatory to the California Urban Water Conservation Council’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on water conservation. The City is responsible for developing and implementing 14 Best Management Practices (BMP’s) contained in the MOU for water conservation. Below are some tips that can save water and money.

The amount of water used for any particular reason is often determined by habit. Our showers, dish washing and cleaning activities often can be altered in small ways to save gallons of water over time. Here are some tips that can save water and money.  And remember, talk to your friends and family about saving water. If everyone does a little, we all benefit a lot!

In the Bathroom

  • Take a 5-minute shower instead of a bath. This can save about 15 gallons per shower.
  • Catch water in a bucket or watering can while waiting for it to get hot. Then use it on plants or pour into toilet bowl to flush.
  • Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water use by 50 percent or more.
  • Install high-efficiency toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush rather than three or five gallons.
  • Flush toilets half as often - saves at least 12 gallons per day.
  • Don't use toilets as a wastebasket, flush only when essential. This can save at least 12 gallons per day.
  • Fix all leaky toilets, faucets, and pipes.
  • When brushing teeth, use a glassful of water instead of running tap. This can save three or more gallons per brushing.

In the Kitchen

  • When washing dishes by hand, wash in a filled basin, not with running water. This can save 25 gallons per load.
  • When using a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load, short cycle uses only seven gallons. This can save 10-12 gallons per each cycle not run.
  • Keep a pitcher of cold water in the refrigerator instead of running it at the tap until it cools. This can save about two gallons per drink.
  • Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not under running water. This can save five gallons or more per meal.
  • When preparing foods, use a vegetable brush and spray water in short bursts.

In the Laundry Room

  • Wait until you have a full load. This can save about 30 gallons for each small load not run.
  • Purchase a new washing machine with water-saving features; load size selector; and variable water level control. This can save as much as 30 gallons per load.

Lawn & Garden

Learn the latest ways to reduce water use in landscaping by taking free online classes provided by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The classes cover the basics of irrigation systems, watering and fertilizing, basic landscape design and plant identification.

Soils Texture Map  
The surface soil textures map was created to help you determine the surface soil type at your home. This information can be used to help you establish a watering schedule for your home landscape.



FREE Water Management Tool for Home Owner's Associations, Landscapers and Property Managers

bewaterwise.com

Water Cycle Educational Information

City Demonstration Gardens

Additional Landscaping Resources


How To Enhance Parks, Gardens, and Other Greenspaces for Native Pollinator Insects

Orange County Coastkeeper Smartscape Brochure

Orange County Coastkeeper Smartscape Flyer

Outside the Home

  • Use a broom rather than a hose to remove leaves and debris from driveway, walk, patio, and pool decks. This can save 25 gallons per five minutes of work.
  • Cover swimming pool to slow down the evaporation of water. This can save the equivalent of its volume each year.
  • Install recirculating pumps in swimming pools, fountains, and ponds.
  • Use a car wash that recycles water or wash car at home. This can save 550 gallons per wash at a car wash.
  • Wash autos, trucks trailers, boats and other types of mobile equipment no more than once every other day, unless done at a commercial car wash.
  • Wash car with a bucket, sponge and a hose with a shut-off valve. This can save 85 gallons or more per wash.
  • Fill or refill spas or ponds no more than once a week, and shut down any unnecessary ornamental fountains or similar structures.
  • Restaurants should avoid serving water to patrons unless specifically requested; placards will be available upon request.

Make Every Drop Count - Water Used for Common Activities

Brushing teeth3 gallons a dayShower40 gallons every 10 minutesBath20 gallonsToilet28 gallons a day per personWashing machine45 gallons per loadCooking5 gallons per dayDishwasher15 gallons per loadHosing driveway150 gallonsWashing car150 gallons

Not so common

Filling a swimming pool . . . 20,000 - 25,000 gallons

MORE WATER SAVING TIPS