San Lorenzo Valley Water District Celebrates Earth Day, April 22, By Encouraging Water Conservation to Benefit the Greater Community 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