Water Conservation

Voluntary Water Conservation Measures

Critically low water table levels and low lake levels are threatening the water systems managed by Special Districts and weather experts are predicting dry conditions continuing into the next year.

Sheriff Martin issued a proclamation of a local emergency due to drought on May 5, 2021. On May 10th, 2021 Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Lake County due to drought conditions, and on May 11, 2021, the Board of Supervisors took action to ratify Sheriff Martin's May 5th proclamation, formalizing the local emergency.

The Department of Water Resources is urging local water agencies to brace for a second dry year and acute water shortages this next summer. Helpful tips on conserving water can be found on the state Save Our Water website.

Water managers are comparing the impending drought conditions to those of 2014 to 2015 and 1976 to 1977, the most severe modern droughts in the region.

In response to current conditions and the Board action, Special Districts are implementing its Drought Management Plan (PDF) and beginning with a Stage 1 response for all of our customers. All customers in the five water systems managed by Special Districts are being asked to voluntarily conserve water and reduce usage by 20% to help avoid a critical reduction in storage reserves that could require mandatory water rationing this summer. Also, compliance with any State mandated conservation actions are required at this time as well.

The five water systems we manage are: CSA Number 13 - Kono Tayee, CSA Number 2 - Spring Valley, CSA Number 20 - Soda Bay, CSA Number 21 N Lakeport, and Kelseyville County Water Works District Number 3 (including CSA Number 6 Finley/Lands End)

Water Conservation Tips

Leaky toilets waste a lot of water! Did you know that your toilet could have a leak that you may not even know about? To test your toilet for "invisible leaks" place a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into the toilet's tank. Wait a few minutes and if the coloring appears in the bowl, you have a leak!

A leaky faucet that drips just two tablespoons per minute can waste 15 gallons per day, which is 105 gallons per week and 5,460 per year! So remember - fix those leaks!

Check your piping system for leaks by turning off all faucets and appliances, and watching the dial on your water meter. If it moves and you have done the first two checks, you have leaks in the piping after the meter. Identify and repair immediately

Tips for in your home

  • Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket! Regular toilets use 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush! (Low-flow toilets only use about 1.5 gallons per flush).
  • Use a toilet tank dam or water bottle in your toilet tank. This will help displace the water, allowing the toilet to use less water after each flush.
  • Use your dishwasher and washing machines only for full loads!
  • Keep a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator. Letting the water run to cool off is wasteful.
  • Install low-flow showerheads or faucet aerators.
  • Don't allow the water to run when brushing your teeth. This can waste two gallons of water! Instead, wet your toothbrush, brush your teeth, and then turn the water on again to rinse.

Tips for in your yard

  • Don't wash sidewalks, driveways, patios, and so on. Use a broom or vac.
  • Don't use water to keep the dust down. Consider gravel or paving instead.
  • While car washing, use a shut-off nozzle on the hose. Wash with a bucket of soapy water, and then rinse with the spray nozzle.
  • Don't water the street, sidewalk, and gutter when you sprinkle the shrubs and lawn.
  • Water your lawn only when it needs it! A good way to determine if your lawn needs watering is to step on it. If it springs back up, no watering is needed. If it remains flat, time to water!
  • Only water your lawn in the early morning or late afternoon. Watering during the middle of the day allows the majority of the water to evaporate and can cause burned grass. Watering at night attracts bugs, mostly those unwanted mosquitoes!
  • Don't water when it's windy! Your water will go everywhere but your lawn! Also, make sure the sprinkler is aimed at your lawn, not the street or sidewalk - they don't need to grow!
  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
  • Install a trigger nozzle on your outside hose. This will allow the water to be automatically turned off when the hose is not in use.