Southern California will likely see more frequent and intense droughts in the future as a result of climate change, so it’s imperative that we make water conservation a way of life, whether or not we’re currently in a drought.
Channelkeeper advocates for policies to promote water conservation while also providing resources and information to help our community conserve water.
Outdoor residential irrigation represents at least 50% of water use in our region, so reducing outdoor water use is a great place to start. Installing rainwater harvesting systems like cisterns or slimline tanks in your yard can capture large amounts of rainwater (500+ gallons) for later reuse. Other options include upgrading landscape irrigation equipment, installing smart water meters, replacing water-thirsty plants with drought-tolerant ones, and installing rain gardens and bioswales that soak up rain. Another great way to conserve water is to install a greywater harvesting system that diverts water from your washing machine (which would otherwise go to the sewage treatment plant) and reuses it to irrigate outdoor plants and trees. Many local water districts have rebates available for making your landscape more sustainable with water-wise plants and upgrading irrigation. For more info on rebates, click here.
Through Channelkeeper’s “Rein the Rain” Project, we partner with local brewers and vintners (including Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Melville Winery, Beckmen Vineyards, Buttonwood Winery, and Imagine Wines) to repurpose wooden barrels previously used to age beer and wine into rain barrels and make them available to community members. We supply simple kits that convert the barrels into rain barrels and offer a barrel and kit for sale for $100. These beautiful barrels hold 60 gallons and fill quickly by capturing rain running off your roof through a downspout and storing it for later reuse for plant and landscape irrigation. Email us to get your barrel and starting harvesting rainwater today!
Every drop counts, whether we’re in a drought or not. Please help us make water conservation a way of life!