FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - With water at a premium, rates certain to rise in the future, and runoff polluting our waterways and beaches, the county’s three largest water resource management agencies are collectively stressing the need to conserve water, especially for landscape irrigation, as the drought continues.  

The Orange County Water District (OCWD), Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) all agree that area homeowners and businesses can help ease the stress on our water resources by not over-watering their lawns and gardens.

“Some 55 to 60 percent of the total water usage in Orange County is for landscape irrigation,” said Brett R. Barbre, president of MWDOC, the agency responsible for managing Orange County’s imported water supplies. “On average, each site is over-watered by 25 percent, which makes landscape irrigation the single greatest waste of water in Orange County.” 

According to regional water officials, Orange County residents are doing a good job being water efficient by using low-flush toilets and showerheads. But now that the drought is continuing with no projected relief in sight and demand is high, water efficiency and conservation efforts must be further increased.  

“The drought gripping the West is the worst in 500 years and demand is high right now,” said Denis Bilodeau, OCWD Board president.  “Our groundwater basin is low from increased demand and we need to fill it back up.” 

Not only is over-watering a tremendous waste of a precious resource, it is also the primary source of urban runoff, a major source of pollution in our creeks, rivers and near-shore ocean waters. 

“Runoff from lawns contains pesticides, animal waste and other pollutants. The contaminated water travels down the street, enters the storm drain system and flows directly to creeks, rivers and the ocean without the benefit of treatment,” said Steve Anderson, chairman of theOrange County Sanitation District. “Reducing urban runoff will have a very positive effect on our regional waterways and ocean waters.” 

For more information on water use efficiency programs in Orange County, log on to www.bewaterwise.com.  

Landscape Watering Tips:

• Irrigate landscaping very early in the morning or during the nighttime hours when water demand is lowest.

• Make certain sprinkler heads are operating properly. A brown patch of lawn probably means a sprinkler is broken or blocked by dirt, bugs or overgrown grass.

• Hotter weather doesn’t necessarily mean lawns and landscaping need more water. Check the soil before increasing watering. If the soil is wet, there’s no need to change watering times.

• Adjust automatic timers throughout the year. Landscaping requires far less water during cooler months. And, don’t forget to turn off automatic sprinkler systems when it’s raining.