Frequently Asked Questions About The “Save Our Water” Program
- What is the Save Our Water program?
- Why do we need it?
- What can we do to save water?
- Can conservation really help our state’s water problems?
- What are long-term solutions?
- Where can I learn more?
What is the Save Our Water program?
Save Our Water is a statewide, water conservation program created in 2009 by the California Department of Water Resources and the California Association of Water Agencies. The program’s goal is to make water conservation a daily habit among Californians, much like recycling and energy conservation are today.
The Save Our Water program reaches millions of Californians each year through partnerships with local water agencies and other community-based organizations, social marketing efforts, paid and earned media and event sponsorships. The consumer-focused program encourages Californians to make water conservation a daily habit through small and large behavior changes.
Why do we need it?
Environmental problems, pressures of a growing population and the effects of climate change are making it extremely difficult to keep water flowing reliably to our economy, our environment, our farms and our communities.
State leaders continue to work on long-term solutions, including investments in our water infrastructure. But in the meantime, California must do more to conserve water. Doing everything we can to save water today will go a long way toward helping our water supply situation while we move ahead with the necessary long-term fixes.
What can we do to save water?
Make water conservation a daily habit in your household. Every Californian can save water with simple steps like watering your lawn only when it needs it, taking shorter showers, running full loads in the washer and dishwasher and turning off the tap when brushing or doing dishes. The small changes that can be made even by the youngest members of the household will help make a difference. Just as turning off the lights when leaving a room and recycling bottles and cans have become second nature to most of us, so can saving water.
Can conservation really help our state’s water problems?
Without conservation, California’s persistent water shortage will be much worse. Farmers may be forced to fallow more land, damaging one of our economy’s strongest industries and increasing foreign dependence for our food supply. Communities will continue to restrict water use, trying to stretch their supply to meet growing needs. And our environment will suffer as we struggle to meet ecological needs with a shrinking water supply. As state leaders continue to work on long-term solutions, water conservation is something we can all do today to help stretch our state’s water supply.
What are long-term solutions?
The problems facing our state’s water system are serious. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which supplies 25 million Californians with water, has become increasingly fragile and important fish species are in decline. Environmental restrictions to protect those species prevent pumping even when water is available. In addition, scientists predict climate change will slowly reduce the annual snowpack, which has already declined by 10 percent in the last 100 years, and change weather patterns.
The answers to the state’s water challenges are as varied as the problems themselves. State leaders have made significant inroads on some of the challenges facing our water supply and delivery system and continue to work on additional long-term solutions. In addition, innovative strategies such as water recycling and desalination are being tested in different communities throughout our state. Finally, there is no doubt that water conservation is a key element in any plan to solve the state’s water supply problems.
Where can I learn more?
The Save Our Water Web site offers lots of information on why and how to save water.