CITY SPOTLIGHT: Every Drop Counts -- Water Conservation in Wasco

Wasco is located in California's Central Valley and, like other areas in the region, faces considerable challenges due to drought. Since the city relies heavily on agriculture, drought conditions can significantly affect local crops, the public’s water supply, and the overall economy.

The Community’s public water system depends entirely on groundwater because there are no available surface water supplies.

Our groundwater reserves are primarily replenished by rainfall that seeps into the ground and water recharged from neighboring districts.

Decreased water levels negatively impact the community, leading to water quality degradation and increased pumping costs as we have to extract water from greater depths.

Although we cannot control the climate or the impact of a drought, we can take proactive steps to conserve water in our daily lives. Simple actions can significantly contribute

to maintaining a sustainable water supply. For instance, if we compare taking a shower and filling up a bathtub, taking a shower generally uses less water. A shower consumes between 10 to 25 gallons of water, while a bath can require up to 70 gallons.

Fixing a leaking toilet and adjusting your sprinkler timer are effective ways to reduce water usage and promote conservation. A leaking toilet can waste approximately 200 gallons of water each day, which is equivalent to flushing it unnecessarily more than 50 times.

Additionally, it is important to maintain the appropriate duration for running your sprinklers. During the summer, the amount of water needed for your lawn is different

than what is required in the winter months. Be sure to turn off or adjust your sprinklers during rainy days to avoid overwatering and conserve resources. Winter is crucial

for replenishing our groundwater reserves in preparation for the summer. You can also save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and before

bedtime. This small change can save between 4 to 8 gallons of water each time, adding up to over 200 gallons saved in a month.

By adopting these simple measures, we can protect our water supply as a community and help maintain healthy groundwater levels for the future.