WATER SHORTAGE AND YOUR WATER HEATER
As California continues to suffer through one of the worst droughts in recent memory, water conservation is on everyone’s mind. This is especially true now that the governor has issued an Executive Order state in April declaring a water emergency for the state. This order, which was the first such order in the state’s history, called for a 25 percent reduction in water use starting in June. While many might complain that there were large corporations and farms that were exempted, the fact remains that the average citizen better start saving water as best as possible. Some areas that had already been very conservative in their water use have been given some leniency in how much conservation is required by them. This is why we felt it was important to discuss the water shortage and your water heater.
For residents of Fremont, the Alameda County Water District issued a Water Shortage Emergency which called for residents of the area to reduce their usage by 20 percent. This declaration for the cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City cites that certain water uses have been prohibited while others have been limited. Here is a list of the restrictions according to the ACWD website:
GENERAL WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
THESE PRACTICES ARE PROHIBITED:
- Draining and refilling swimming pools
- Using non-recycling water fountains
- The use of hoses without quick-acting shutoff nozzles
- Hosing off driveways, sidewalks, etc…
LAWN AND LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION RESTRICTIONS
THESE PRACTICES ARE PROHIBITED:
- Irrigation while it’s raining
- Irrigation that results in ponding, flooding or excessive runoff
SCHEDULE FOR WATERING LAWNS AND LANDSCAPING:
- April-May: No more than one day per week
- June-September: No more than two days per week
- October-November: No more than one day per week
- December-March: No more than one day per week during dry periods only
One final note about watering your lawn: The ACWD states that if you replace your lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping, you may water that no more than three times per week. To view all of the drought information available, visit their website at: http://www.acwd.org/index.aspx?NID=510. You will find valuable information about the water shortage emergency as well as great tips on how to conserve water such as locating leaks around your toilet. And speaking of water-saving tips for your appliances…
It’s time to talk water heaters. A water heater that is functioning normally is not going to waste any water since the homeowner or renter is directly responsible for how much water is used, unless it has sprung a leak. So, the first thing to do is check to make sure that your water heater isn’t leaking. If you go to check out your water heaters and see that it is leaking, you can call us for service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (510) 791-2455. If you need help shutting off your water heater, we are happy to assist you over the phone while we set up your appointment. Or you can visit our page that explains what to do by clicking here: https://waterheatersfremont.com/faqs/emergency-shutdown-instructions/
If you don’t immediately see water leaking from the water heaters, that doesn’t necessarily mean there is no leak. Make sure to inspect your water heater very closely. That means inspect underneath your water (if possible) and look closely for condensation on the top and along the sides of the water heater. Leaks may be big or small, but they all will definitely cause you to use more water than normal and might even be the cause of damage to the surrounding area. One way to help minimize water damage and the wasting of water in general is to use a water leak sensor. These nifty items are not very big or expensive and they work like a water alarm. If the sensor senses water leaking, it emits a sound much like a fire alarm. While this may not help you if you are out of town, they can be very helpful if you hear it go off in the middle of the night.
Of course, you could do what some enterprising folks from Staten Island are doing and just paint your lawn. Oh, it’s a thing, we assure you: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-lawns-spray-paint-makeover-article-1.1115595. We’re not sure if it’s crazy or genius…or both.
One final suggestion that could possibly be a huge water saver is to install a Taco circulation pump. The circulation pump is designed to eliminate waiting for hot water. Basically, once you have had the Taco system installed, you simply push the button to turn it on and wait a minute or two for the hot water to reach your shower or sink before you turn on the faucet. This means that all of that water will not go down the drain before you can take your shower. It also means no more using a bucket to collect the cold water that runs before the hot water arrives. If you would like to find out more about these circulation systems, we would be happy to schedule a time to come out to your home and tell you what we can do for you. Just call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (510) 791-2455. So, until next time, be water smart and don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions you might have.