With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record (since 1976), and cities and municipalities enforcing stricter watering rationing rules upon us all here in the Silicon Valley it’s important, and frankly smart, to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages.

Hi, I’m Dawn Thomas, with Siliconvalleyandbeyond.com, and I am continuing our GOING GREEN SERIES by sharing “7 Ways to Beat the Drought” that homeowners can use to reduce their daily water consumption and ultimately save our most precious resource – WATER:

1. Show veggies the love – Wash fruits/veggies in a bowl rather then in running water in sink

2. Don’t be a drip – leaky faucets can waste up to 5,500 liters of water a year! Call a plumber if problem is too big to fix yourself

3. Air Kissing – An aerated tap accessory in faucets or shower heads work by pumping each drop of water full of air before it is dispensed, reducing the amount when used in showers and washing during kitchen work by about half.

4. Sort out your Appliances – Always fill dishwashers and washing machines to save water, and use the most efficient settings. Don’t just stop there! Consider replacing your appliances to those that are part of the “Conserve at Home” programs. Not only will you be conserving, you could get a nice rebate check from your local water and utility companies. Check out your utility company’s websites to see the current offerings.

5. Turn it off – If you let your tap run while you brush your teeth or wash your hands, you can waste up to six liters of water per minute.

6. Don’t flush for small jobs! – about 1/3 of the water we use is flushed down the toilet.

7. Install a grey water system – instead of using clean water from the tap to water your garden, look into a grey water system that stores the water from your appliances for watering your lawn and plants. You find find more information on the Internet, and some utility companies offer rebates on appliances for homes that also have a on grey water system.

Thank you for joining us today, and once again this is Dawn Thomas with Siliconvalleyandbeyond.com