Let’s have a Conversation about Conservation!

by Meru S.

My local 4-H club recently invited a guest speaker from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to talk about water conservation. He spoke about the most common ways water is wasted in everyday life, and how we can use less water to conserve it. Even with the rain that we have been having during the past two to three months, we still need to continue to use water with awareness of the drought.

Here are some ways in which we can conserve water:

•  Fix water leaks. Leaks can waste up to two hundred gallons of water a day.

• Take shorter showers. A ten-minute shower uses about twenty-five gallons.

• Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand. Most dishwashers use only about six gallons per load. 

• Irrigate lawns efficiently or install a drip irrigation system. Many sprinklers spray water not only on the lawn but also on the sidewalks or driveways, which wastes a lot. Drip irrigation sends water directly to the roots and does not waste or overwater.

• Plant drought-tolerant plants that require less water.

• Make sure to turn off hoses and faucets when not in use.

We removed our lawn and replaced it with Kurapia, a water-wise alternative to grass. We have also planted California natives, which, once established, do not need as much water. Collecting rinsing or cooking water is something we have been doing for the past few months. We keep a watering can in the kitchen and pour the extra water from foods (such as pasta or soaked grains) into it. Then we later use it to water our plants.

March 22nd is World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day has a different theme. This year, the theme is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. The general goal of this celebration is to ensure that people worldwide have access to clean and safe water. The first World Water Day was held in 1993 and was created by the United Nations. East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is celebrating World Water Day with a Day by the Water at Lake Del Valle in Livermore. With games and activities, you can learn more about water conservation and the different ways in which water is beneficial to us and wildlife.