Summer and the dry season are here, and you may be wondering about how to do your part conserving water and power. All of us understand how precious water is in California, and how scarce it can become during dry periods. But many of you may not be aware of the direct links between water usage and power usage. The fact is that electrically-powered pumps are used to distribute water to homes and businesses. During hot summer months, as the demand for water goes up, so does the demand for power. Here are a few simple tips that may help you save water, power and money at the same time:

When the Power Goes Out

• Don't turn on your faucets and stop outdoor watering. This could lead to water waste once the power is on again.
• Avoid or minimize flushing toilets.
• Turn off all major appliances, but keep a single light on so you know when the power is restored.
• Check your landscape irrigation timer when power is on again. It may have to be re-programmed. If your timer unit has a battery back up, consider installing fresh batteries, especially if you have not done so in a while.
• Check your water heater pilot light if the heater unit is electrically operated.

• Don't water your lawn and plants during peak hours or when it is windy. Water after 8:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. Not only will this conserve energy during peak usage times, it will also save water by reducing the rate of water evaporation.
• Control your sprinklers via a timer.
• Do not allow water to flow off of your grass or other landscaping and into the gutter. Check the direction your sprinklers are spraying, limit water volume and/or split watering times so that the ground can absorb all of the water.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads. Avoid using clothes dryers and dry clothes outdoors in the sun instead. Some people actually prefer the freshness of sun-warmed laundry!
• Install low flow shower heads and toilets.
• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth and shaving. Turn off the shower head when soaping up and lathering hair.
• Teach your children about the importance of conservation, and show them all of the ways they can help you save water.

As you can see, conserving energy is more than turning off lights and raising thermostat levels. By doing our part to save water, we can all work together to lessen the impact of summer on California's energy reserves.