Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

I'm a passionate water saver and pet lover.  I've used several of your water-saving tips for indoors and outdoors, but I have not seen any tips related to pet owners.  Are there any water-saving tips I can use that allow me to own pets and still save water?  
Sincerely, 
Water-Saving Pet Owner 

A: Dear Water-Saving Pet Owner, 
I am happy to hear that you are looking for ways to save water, while being a pet owner.  Pets need water just like us, but owning a pet does not mean you cannot continue to save water.  There are many water-saving pet tips you can use, including washing your pet on your lawn with eco-friendly shampoo, using your pet's old drinking water to water plants, watering your house plants with old water from your freshwater aquarium, and using water left in drinking glasses or water bottles to fill up your pet's water bowl.  These are easy tips you can use to enjoy your pets and still save water.  For more water-saving tips, visit www.ieua.org. 

Best of luck to you in your water-saving quest, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

 I recently moved into a new home, but the house itself is rather old.  The toilets have not been replaced in some time and are terrible water wasters.  What type of toilets should I buy to save me the most water?  
Sincerely, 
Water Wasting Remover

A: Dear Water Wasting Remover, 
Thank you for actively looking for a replacement of your water-wasting toilet.  The latest and greatest water-saving models of toilets are the Dual-Flush, “High-Efficiency Toilets.”  These toilets have two flush options, a half flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste, which can use as little as .8 – 1.28 gallons per flush.  This “High-Efficiency Toilet” can save you up to 19 gallons per person/day, and if replacing a traditional toilet with this model, you can save approximately 23,000 gallons a year.  Visit www.ieua.org to learn more water-saving tips. 

Good luck with your replacement of your water-wasting toilet, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

Although I have not washed my car in some time, I would like to have it washed soon.  With the current water restrictions, I am not sure if I can wash it myself.  Do you know if I can wash my car myself and what I may need to make sure I don’t use too much water?  
Sincerely, 
Water-Saving Car Owner 

A: Dear Water-Saving Car Owner, 
Thank you for reaching out and asking for help with your car washing situation.  Due to the drought, car owners are asked to cut back their car washes, but if your car must be washed, there are two tips to help save water.  To save the most amount of water, either have your car washed at a car wash that uses recycled water, or wash it with a bucket, sponge and hose with a shut-off nozzle, which is now required for home garden hoses.  This can save you 8-18 gallons per minute. For more water-saving tips, visit www.ieua.org. 

Best of luck to you and your water-saving car washes, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

I have noticed that I need to refill my pool and spa more frequently.  My family and I do not use it too much so I’m assuming it’s from evaporation.  As the summer heats up, I would like to invest in a pool and spa cover to reduce the amount of water that evaporates, but I am worried about the cost.  Do the gallons of water saved outweigh the initial cost of buying a cover?  
Sincerely, 
Pool Water Preserver

A: Dear Pool Water Preserver, 
I am glad you are considering the purchase of a pool and spa cover.  During the summer, water in pools and spas can be lost to evaporation. This evaporation rate may be higher in southern California, where temperatures can reach triple digits.  With a cover, however, you can reduce the evaporation rate by 30 – 90 %, depending on the quality of the pool cover.  Yearly, a pool and spa cover can save the average homeowner 4,844 to 7,161 gallons of water.  To learn more water-saving tips, visit www.ieua.org. 

Good luck with your pool and spa cover purchase, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

I have noticed what appears to be hard water stains on my driveway and sidewalk.  With the recent requirement to eliminate water runoff from homes, I am concerned that this may be caused by runoff from my sprinklers, but I’m not sure since I water my lawn in the early morning hours.  What can I do to stop this runoff and ensure the water is being used for my landscape?  
Sincerely, 
Runoff Worrier

A: Dear Runoff Worrier, 
Thank you for being aware of your runoff problem and wanting to fix it.  When your sprinklers run, walk on the edge of your property to see if there is indeed runoff.  Once you have confirmed the runoff problem, you can change your watering schedule to eliminate it.  One of the best solutions to combat runoff is splitting your 15 minute watering sessions into two, 5-8 minute spurts of watering sessions 30-45 minutes apart.  This allows the water to infiltrate into the soil, thereby eliminating the runoff.  To learn more outdoor watering tips, visit www.ieua.org.

Best of luck in fixing your runoff problem and saving your water for your landscape, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

My irrigation controller broke and I am looking to replace it with a newer model.  I have heard there are new models that can help me save water.  What type of controller do you recommend to help me save water?  
Sincerely, 
Water Conscious Consumer

A: Dear Water Conscious Consumer, 

Thank you for your interest in using a water-saving irrigation controller.  A great water-saving irrigation controller is called a weather based “smart” irrigation controller.  These irrigation controllers water landscapes based on the local weather and soil conditions, therefore adapting to the needs of the plants in your landscape.  A weather based “smart” irrigation controller can save you up to 8,800 gallons a year.  Learn more about irrigation controllers at www.ieua.org.

Good luck to you and your water-saving efforts, 
Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

I have noticed a decrease in my water consumption on my water bill since putting your indoor water-saving tips to use.  Despite this decrease in water, I feel like I am missing some tips that I can use outside to save water.  What are some outdoor watering habits that will continue to lower my water use?  
Sincerely, 
                                                     Water Wise Homeowner

A: Dear Water Wise Homeowner, 

I am happy to hear you have been putting my indoor water-saving tips to use!  Some tips to use outside include checking your sprinklers to ensure they are watering your lawn and garden and not the sidewalk, changing your irrigation times every month to water early in the morning or later in the evening and not watering on windy days.  These tips can help you reach your low water use goals.  Learn more water-saving tips at www.ieua.org. 

Good luck with saving more water on your next water bill, 
Owlie