You Can Make a Difference Tips

Everyday actions can make a difference when it comes to supporting sustainability. There are many ways to reduce water and energy use, which in turn helps reduce emissions that may contribute to climate change.

Tip #1: To avoid peak energy hours and minimize evaporation set automatic landscape system timers to water outdoors between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Avoid water use during the peak energy demand hours of 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m.

Tip #2: Taking Rover for a walk? Remember don't pet pollute - protect our local waterways by using a dog waste bag to pick up after your pet.
When it rains or when the grass is watered, pet waste left on lawns, trails and sidewalks will wash into the storm drain system and into our local creeks and rivers. Pet waste has harmful bacteria that can negatively impact the environment and humans.
Here is what you can do to help solve the pet waste pollution problem:

• Always carry a plastic bag with you to pick up after your pet. Many local parks have pet waste stations that provide free plastic bags designed for pet waste.
• Dispose of pet waste in the trash (seal the bag before placing in the trash).
• Never wash pet waste into a storm drain.

Thank you for being a responsible pet owner and helping keep our waterways clean.

Tip #3: Time to buy a new clothes washer? Save water, energy and money on your utility bill by purchasing a more efficient washer. High-efficiency washers use about 60% less energy and 40% less water than conventional machines. Water- and energy-efficient clothes washers also produce less wastewater, use less detergent and cause less wear and tear on clothing.

Although some high-efficiency models cost more than standard machines, the savings on utility bills make them a good buy in the long run. Owners typically save $50 to $90 a year on their utility bills after installing high-efficiency models.

SSWD customers may be eligible for a rebate of $50 and you may get up to $125 from your energy company for the purchase and installation of a qualified high efficiency washing machine. Read more about SSWD's Washer Rebate Program or contact the Customer Service Team at 916.972.7171 during business hours.

Tip #4: Did you know it takes energy to deliver water to your tap? A lot of energy, in fact. Treating and delivering water to homes and businesses accounts for about 20% of the electricity used in California. That's a significant chunk. When you save water, you save energy - and that's a win-win for everyone.

One simple way to save water and energy is to take shorter showers. Not only will you use less water, your water heater won't work so hard, which translates into energy savings.

Tip #5: Water-guzzling toilets are the single-largest consumer of water in a typical home. Replacing a high-flush toilet with a high-efficiency toilet (HET), that uses 1.28 gallons per flush, can save up to 4,000 gallons of water per year.

SSWD offers rebates up to $175 for eligible customers to replace old toilets with HETs. Commercial customers can receive rebates of up to $200 for commercial HET models.

To find out more about the SSWD's toilet rebate program, call SSWD at 916.972.7171.

Tip #6: We all know it takes energy to run appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washers. But it also takes energy to heat the water these machines use to clean our dishes and clothes.

A great way to save water and energy is to run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full during off-peak energy hours between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. If you must wash a less than full load of laundry, set the water level to match the load size. Reducing energy use during peak hours translates directly into energy and water savings - a win for your utility bill as well as the environment.

To find out how to get a rebate for replacing your energy zapping clothes washer for a high-efficiency model, call SSWD at 916.972.7171 or find out more here...

Tip #7: There are hundreds of ways to save water outdoors. Many take just a few minutes and can make a real difference on your water bill this summer.

Don't water on windy days. Sidewalks and driveways don't need water, but that's exactly where precious water goes when sprinklers run when it's windy.

You can also save water by adjusting your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn. And don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks.

Check out more water saving tips for inside and outside your residence...

Tip #8: One of the best ways to save energy is to save hot water.

Running a hot water faucet for five minutes is the equivalent of burning a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours. Taking shorter showers and running the dishwasher and clothes washer only when it's full are great ways to use less hot water. Want to save water and energy at the same time? Take shorter showers using a low flow showerhead! (A FREE low flow showerhead is available at the administrative office on Marconi.)

Another tip is to turn your faucets to cold each time your turn them on (faucets with combined hot/cold). Turning them to cold reduces the amount of hot water in the plumbing system and energy required to run your hot water heater.

Tip #9: Water-Saving Devices Add up to Real Savings.

SSWD offers an array of water-saving devices to help homeowners reduce water use and save money. Water-efficient showerheads, dual spray swivel kitchen faucet aerator and bathroom faucet aerators, automatic shut-off hose nozzles and other devices really can make a difference.

Water-saving devices are available at SSWD's Marconi Avenue office during business hours. You can also pick up your water-saving devices (while supplies last) at the next Community Outreach Day on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm as SSWD participates in the 7th annual North Highlands Jubilee in the North Highlands Community Center at 6040 Watt Avenue. Look for the bright blue booth!

Tip #10: Use a broom instead of the hose to clean your driveway, sidewalk, deck or patio. You'll save up to 8-18 gallons a minute - and get some good exercise.

Using a broom instead of a water hose also helps keep pollutants such as grease, oils and pesticides that can accumulate on driveways from running off into creeks and rivers.

So next time, put down the water hose and pick up the broom. You'll be taking a great step toward saving water.

Tip #11: Stop those leaks!

Leaking toilets can waste more water than any other fixture in the house. Even a silent toilet leak (one you normally can't hear) can waste anywhere from 30 to 500 gallons a day. The leaks you can hear waste even more.

There is one sure-fire way to check for a toilet leak. Dye tablets available from SSWD's Marconi Avenue offices can help you detect a leak quickly. Place a dye tablet in the toilet tank, and leave for 15 minutes (do not flush). When you return, look into the toilet bowl to see if the dye color is present. If it is, you have a leak that may be caused by a faulty flapper or other problem.

Leaky faucets also waste water. Even a slow drip can waste up to 190 gallons a month. Periodically check your indoor fixtures and appliances for leaks. Studies show homes can waste more than 10% of their total water use due to leaks. That's costly for you and the environment.

Check out more water saving tips for inside and outside your residence...