Efficiency Tips and Resources

The 5-minute Sand Shower Timer is a simple and effective tool to help shorten showers, reduce water usage, and save money. When the sand runs out, it's time to get out! All you do is place the suction on any non-porous surface and then swivel the timer every time you take a shower. Time is approximately five minutes per turn.

Benefits of shower timers:

• Minimizes the impact of drought and subsequent water shortages.
• Reduces water and energy gills.
• Helps protect our wildlife and environment.

Why use a hose nozzle?

 The regulations, adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board, prohibit overwatering yards without a shutoff nozzle, hosing down sidewalks or watering grass within 48 hours after rainfall.

Even if you rarely uncoil the hose and use only one setting, simply having a nozzle to control the water flow makes gardening or cleaning less wasteful and more efficient.

Anyone who owns a garden hose needs a nozzle.

Bathroom Aerators

Leak Detection Tablets

Save money and save water by detecting silent leaks with our package of 2 dye tablets. Simply drop tablet in tank and know in a few moments if a repair needs to be made. Tablets are non-toxic and FD&C safe. One of the most effective water efficiency measures you can take.

Toilet Flapper

Replacing a worn or damaged flapper can help you save water and reduce the risk of costly leaks and repairs. Very often, drop-in bleach tablets will damage a flapper causing it to leak. That is because the bleach is constantly in the toilet tank thereby damaging the flapper and other toilet parts.

Why is shower head GPM or flow rate important?

GPM means Gallons Per Minute.

Federal, state, and local governments regulate shower head GPM flow rates, because the potential for water and energy savings are significant.

A standard 2.5 GPM shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water each minute. That's 25 gallons for a 10-minute shower.

VS.

A low-flow 1.8 GPM shower head uses 1.8 gallons of water each minute. That's only 18 gallons for a 10-minute shower.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showering is one of the leading ways we use water in the home, accounting for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use - for the average family, that adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day. That's nearly 1.2 trillion gallons of water used in the United States annually just for showering.

Landscape Drip Water Kit

Drip irrigation is an efficient and economical way to water your yard and garden. Used commonly in drier areas of the country, drip irrigation is becoming more popular in the Northeast. Unlike other forms of irrigation, such as sprinklers that are only 65-75% efficient, drip irrigation 90% efficient at allowing plants to use the water applied. And it reduces runoff and evaporation. Drip irrigation applies the water slowly at the plant root zone where it is needed most.

Benefits of Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation involves placing tubing with emitters on the ground alongside the plants. The emitters slowly drip water into the soil at the root zone. Because moisture levels are kept at an optimal range, plant productivity and quality improve. In addition, drip irrigation:

• Prevents disease by minimizing water contact with the leaves, stems, and fruit of plants.
• Allows the rows between plants to remain dry, improving access and reducing weed growth.
• Saves time, money, and water because the system is so efficient.
• Decreases labor.
• Increases effectiveness on uneven ground.
• Reduces leaching of water and nutrients below the root zone

Smart Irrigation Controller

Smart Irrigation systems save water, time, and money. Studies show that up to 50% of water usage for landscape irrigation can be saved with cloud-based Smart Irrigation systems. As a result, Smart systems typically pay for themselves in water savings within two years. Smart Irrigation is not only cost-effective, but also the responsible thing to do, not only in these times of drought, but as we strive to conserve our finite and dwindling water sources and protect our environment.