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Saving Water ... A Better Way of Life
Do your part to help us save water every day . . .

Water Rebates!
Thinking about buying a water efficient toilet, perhaps a SmarTimer landscape irrigation controller, or replacing your existing lawn with a water-saving artificial turf?

Before you make your purchase, contact our Rebate Center and reserve your rebate right now or at any time, online, or by phone.

Anaheim Residents and Businesses Urged to Reduce Water Use -
With three consecutive years of drought, declining reservoir levels, and environmental restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta to central and southern California - cuts to our water supply were inevitable.

On April 14, 2009, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) voted to cut water deliveries across the region by 10% starting this July. This action confirms the severity of the water situation and calls upon Anaheim to use water more efficiently on a permanent basis. To learn about the status of Anaheim's water supplies, click here.

Anaheim Residents and Businesses Urged to Reduce Water Use Anaheim City Council has implemented voluntary conservation measures and is encouraging all Anaheim consumers - residential, business and other customer classifications served by Anaheim Public Utilities - to help reduce water use in our community by taking the following voluntary actions:

The Anaheim City Council is encouraging all Anaheim consumers - residential, business and other customer classifications served by Anaheim Public Utilities - to help reduce water use in our community by taking the following voluntary actions:

  • Refrain from hosing or washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas or
    other paved surfaces, except where necessary to protect public health and safety;

  • Promptly repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures, including
    but not limited to sprinkler systems;

  • Refrain from allowing water to run off landscaped areas onto adjoining
    streets, sidewalks, parking lots, or alleys;

  • Refrain from allowing water to run off onto adjoining streets, sidewalks,
    parking lots or alleys while washing vehicles;

  • Adjust landscape watering according to weather conditions to avoid excess usage;
    preferably limit watering to no more than every other day;

  • Limit landscape watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; and

  • Offer guests in hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments the
    option of not laundering towels and linens daily.

California's Water Supply Outlook is Serious Business -
In addition to the impact of decreased rainfall on imported water supplies, judicial rulings on environmental issues also have reduced the amount of water that can be imported to our region. Did you know that over the past several years, Southern California's imported water supplies have been cut by 280 billion gallons? That is enough water to meet the needs of Anaheim residents and businesses for about 12 years. With drought conditions continuing, even normal rainfall this coming winter will not be enough to ease our ever tightening water supply. For a map of California's river and water transportation system, you can click here. To learn more about options to deliver water to Southern California, you may be interested in this summary of a research study prepared by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Crisis on Tap - California's Water Reckoning
This special report, researched and published by The Press-Enterprise and PE.com in Riverside, CA, provides an in depth look at California's current water supply dilemma and the potential impact on California agriculture, businesses and homeowners; Click Here.

Student Video Contest - 2010  new
Anaheim Public Utilities is sponsoring an exciting competition for Anaheim students to produce a video that promotes water conservation within our community. The focus of this video is to raise awareness in Anaheim regarding the current water crisis and communicate the need for long-term water conservation in our semi-arid climate.

The top three videos will be showcased in the community during May 2010, as part of Water Awareness Month and each will receive a prize - the top prize being an Apple MacBook Computer. Click Here for more information and to download a Student Video Contest Entry Form.

Anaheim Water Situation Report 2009
A situation analysis, with background, action summary and achievements. Click Here.

Pipeline e-Newsletter
You may sign up for Pipeline, which contains up to date information regarding Anaheim's and Southern California's water outlook through the link at the bottom of the newsletter. Click here to access the latest edition.

For previous editions of Water Pipeline, click on the following links: Jan 09; Mar 09; Apr 09; May 09; Aug 09

So, what can we do to make saving water a better way of life?
For starters we can spend a little time and learn just how easy it can be to conserve water. Below are 10 simple, common sense steps each of us can take right now to begin saving water in and around our homes and businesses.

1.   Take shorter showers - one or two minutes less time in the shower
      can save up to 700 gallons a month.
2.   Turn off the water faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving - save three
      gallons a day.
3.   Fix sprinkler leaks and correct overspray - save 500 gallons a month.
4.   Wash only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
5.   Refrigerate drinking water instead of running the faucet until water
      runs cool.
6.   Don't use the toilet for a waste basket and save hundreds of gallons.
7.   Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom and save 150 gallons each time.
8.   Mulch around trees and plants to hold water and cool the soil - save hundreds
     of gallons a year.
9.   Wash your car using a bucket of sudsy water followed by a quick hose
      rinse. Be sure to use a shutoff nozzle.
10. Water lawns early in the mornings - save 25 gallons a day.

What can happen if we all take part?
We are talking about some huge savings. You may not know that up to 70 percent of all residential water use here in Southern California is outdoors. So, by cutting back on outdoor watering by at least one day a week, consumers can save an estimated 224,000 acre-feet a year. That is equivalent to the total amount of water used in the cities of Anaheim, Burbank, Long Beach and Pasadena in a year. One acre-foot is the amount of water it takes to cover one acre, an area roughly the size of a football field, with water at a depth of one foot.
 
Anaheim Public Utilities has created a door hanger with water saving tips and instructions that can be left at residences and businesses who are reported to be wasting water. Customers can request to leave a friendly reminder by sending a request online via Anaheim Anytime or click here for tips on Anaheim Anytime. View a copy of the door hanger in English or in Spanish.

Links to resources that can help you save water.
You can pick up more tips, learn how we are ready to help you save water with information you can use and with cash incentives - rebates to help folks install water saving measures and save money on their utility bill ...

         www.bewaterwise.com - Wise up when it comes to saving water. Also learn how we can help you save.

         www.bewaterwise.com/great_native.html  - Learn more about how you can save more water outdoors with California Friendly
                                                                       landscaping and beautify your home.

         www.h2ouse.org - Steps you can take to save water in and around the house.

         Water Efficiency Rebates for Homeowners - Avoid outdoor over-watering by setting your sprinklers to
                                                                          turn on based on how much water your lawn and shrubs
                                                                          actually need, based on the season and weather conditions,
                                                                          plus more about other water efficiency rebates.

        Area Surface Soil Textures Map - This linked map gives gardeners an indication of soil textures throughout
                                                         Orange County, including Anaheim. This information will help determine
                                                         watering schedules based on the soil and types of plants that you are
                                                         trying to maintain.

        The Watering Index and Water Use Calculator - Residents, gardeners and landscape maintenance 
                                                                             professionals easily can use the Watering Index to make
                                                                             sure the plants they care for are getting the right
                                                                             amout of water.

        Rotating Nozzles - Our rebate program will help you reduce water used for landscape irrigation.

Not sure what to do? Then try our web site for starters.
We encourage you to check out assistance we offer to Anaheim residents and businesses through Anaheim Advantage Services, a variety of incentive and rebate programs that are designed to help our customers save water and money.

For Residential Customers - Sign up for one of our free assessments of your home's water and energy use by one of our experts. We will show you how simple repairs can turn into real water savings. We will install at no charge to you, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, toilet dams and flappers (as needed), plus up to five free energy saving CFLs. To learn more  or sign up, call 714.939.9020 or e-mail our representative. Or you can check out the secure and easy to use online version of our Utility Home Check-up.

For Residential Developers - Is your new development California Friendly? Partnerships between water agencies and home builders are helping developers bring more and more sustainable homes to communities. Incentives are now available to help builders and developers showcase the value and beauty of California Friendly Homes. Click Here for more information and a rebate summary or Here to download a brochure.

For Business Customers - Business owner can take advantage of our free comprehensive water use survey, which is designed to help improve your bottom line by helping you reduce your water use For more information, contact our representative at 714.765.4259 by e-mail.