Luis Generoso, Water Resources Manager, City of San Diego, shares with us the following information about conserving water:

Warmer temperatures and more daylight hours mean one thing… spring is right around the corner! For many people this means it’s time for the traditional "spring cleaning" around the house. For others, it also means it’s time to prepare their gardens for a season of successful growth. While getting everything tidied up both inside and outside the home, it’s also a good idea to check your indoor and outdoor water use. Small improvements can add up to big water and monetary savings.

"You’d be amazed how much water you can save by fixing leaks or installing water-saving fixtures in your home," said Chris Robbins, Supervising Management Analyst for the City of San Diego’s Water Conservation Program. "Upgrading your fixtures is an easy way to make water conservation a part of your everyday life."

Here’s some other ways you can incorporate water conservation into your spring-cleaning routine and landscape preparation:

• Check the toilets, faucets, showers, and sprinklers for leaks, and replace valves as necessary. You can save up to 150 gallons a week for each leak. For a comprehensive inspection, sign up for the City of San Diego’s free Residential Water Survey Program. A trained surveyor will analyze both your indoor and outdoors water use, and will make recommendations as needed. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 619-570-1999.

• While you’re cleaning out your bathroom, install a low-flow showerhead. This type of showerhead can save you up to 75 gallons of water per week.
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  In case we get some spring showers, make sure you clean out and redirect downspout gutters toward trees, plants and other landscaped areas. Mother Nature’s rain will then take care of watering your landscape at no cost. Prevent water, as well as your money, from being wasted by turning off your irrigation system when its rains.
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  Delay regular lawn watering during the first cool weeks of spring to encourage deep root growth to make a lawn healthier for the summer. It’s also the perfect time to adjust your irrigation schedule. To create a free watering schedule tailored to your plants and lawn, visit the Water Conservation Program’s website at www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation to access the free Landscape Watering Calculator.

• If you plan on cleaning your driveway, patio or sidewalk, remember to use a broom, not a hose. This will save you up to 100 gallons of water and prevent run-off of pollutants into our storm drains and beaches.