The Sacramento Regional Water Authority said Tuesday that water use in the region has been reduced by 18 percent from January through June compared to the same time period in 2013.
The Authority’s Water Efficiency Program Manager, Amy Talbot said the water use reductions come from 1.9 million water users in “a large portion of Sacramento County, Placer County, El Dorado County and in Yolo County (West Sacramento).”
California Governor Jerry Brown has asked for a statewide reduction of 20 percent. The State Water Resources Board recently mandated conservation measures that allow water agencies and governments to fine water wasters up to $500.
Talbot said 65 percent of water use in the region is used outside.
"Don't water in the middle of the day, a lot of it is being evaporated, it is not getting on your lawn, it is not doing what it needs to do,” said Talbot. “Water late at night, water early in the morning."
She also said to adjust sprinklers to prevent over-spray and runoff, check for leaks inside and outside the home and limit showers to five minutes.
In the city of Sacramento, along with an odd-even watering schedule, lawn watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Talbot said there are also several rebate programs available to help people conserve water.
"There is a whole range of indoor and outdoor rebates that vary depending on the water agency in the region," said Talbot, who said information about rebates and conservation tips is available at: http://www.bewatersmart.info/
She said the Regional Water Authority is "pleased" with the conservation efforts by people in the region.
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