What is water and what does water mean to society? Scientifically speaking, water is simply 3 parts: 1 oxygen atom and 2 hydrogen atoms. Sociologically speaking, water surrounds us and is important to every human endeavor in society.

The water situation in California is a cause for concern. Most of Southern California has a semi-arid (dry) environment with a short rainy season. Before it was heavily populated, Orange County was more like a desert than it is today. To satisfy the needs of all the people and businesses in Southern California, vast amounts of water are imported from the Colorado River and from Northern California. Some water is even pumped from underground water basins.

However, great environmental damage to the Colorado River and to the San Joaquin River Delta results from this importation of water. This practice is unsustainable; it can lead to further environmental damage and to greater water shortages.

The City of Santa Ana has a dozen water wells. Most wells are in parks such as Jerome and Adams Park; one is located at the zoo in Prentice Park. These wells play an important role in both the local environment and economy.

Water conservation, preserving water by using less water and by not wasting water, is necessary. By saving water and living sustainably, we will ensure a good water supply for the future. Water conservation is really easy to do and it saves money.

Save water by following these examples:

1. Install low-flow showerheads and aerators on all bathroom faucets. These will reduce the flow of water from 4-7 gallons per minute to 1-2.75 gallons per minute for standard faucets or 5-8 gallons per minute to .8-2.5 gallons per minute for standard showerheads. Low-flow aerators and showerheads use half as much, or even less, water than standard faucets and showerheads do.

2. Shorten your showers. By taking a five minute shower instead of 10 minute shower, you can save 12.5 gallons with a low flow showerhead or 25 gallons with a standard 5.0 gallon per minute showerhead.

3. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or when shaving. This will save you approximately 10 gallons per day.

4. What kind of toilet do you have? If you have a standard non-efficient model and switch to an “Ultra Low Flow Toilet” (ULFT) you can save 38 gallons a day or 19,000 gallons a year!

Don’t forget the outdoors. In some areas Californians use up to 50% of their water outside their home.

1. Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers and you can save 15 gallons each time you water.

2. If you water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler, you can save 25 gallons each time.

Let’s put these numbers into dollar amounts. The national average cost of water is $2.00 per 1,000 gallons or $.002 per gallon; that’s one fifth (1/5) of a penny for every gallon.

With a regular flow showerhead, a ten minute shower uses approximately 50 gallons per shower or 18,250 gallons for one person’s daily shower for one entire year. The 18,250 gallons will cost this person $36.50. A family of four who all take 10 minute showers once a day for a year will spend $146.00.

If everyone in this family cut their shower times from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, they would save $73.00. If this family put in an “Ultra Low Flow Toilet,” they would save approximately 19,000 gallons per year or $38.00. By doing these two simple things, the family of four could save $111.00 per year.

Imagine how much more money this family could be saving by using other easy water conservation practices! Check out these websites for more tips on how to save water:

http://www.saveourh2o.org/node/2
http://www.bewaterwise.com/tips01.html
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/wot/pdfs/book_waterontap_full.pdf