Water Districts Provide Free Advice, Help Finding Water Leaks During California Drought
CARMICHAEL (CBS13) — Local water districts are preparing for what are expected to be big cutbacks coming because of California's drought.
The State Water Resources Control Board was originally supposed to release its emergency regulation package on Friday, but moved that release to Saturday morning due to a heavy response.
The plan could mean up to 35 percent in water usage cuts for many Sacramento-area water districts, who are giving homeowners a way to find out how much water they're using.
Just about every water district in the area does this service. Not all experts will actually go inside the home to assess things, but they do that in Carmichael.
A water audit in Kathy Lewin's home helped find a lot of extra water being flushed away that she wasn't even using.
The Carmichael Water District has people who regularly goes from home to home to give free advice to customers like Davis. All customers have to do is call.
"It's a benefit to our customers, if they want to reduce their use, especially when we're in drought situations," he said. "It's just a way for them to identify how they can save."
By looking for leaks and quickly checking the homes appliances, he found ways for her to cut back on her water usage.
Local water districts have been offering the service for years, but ever since Gov. Jerry Brown called for a 25 percent cut in usage from state water districts on April 1, districts have seen a surge in requests.
"Usually I do surveys about 3 to 4 a week, and I have booked 3 weeks out now," said water efficiency specialist David Flores.
Some of the most common problems Flores finds have simple solutions.
"It's usually irrigation. Timers are going on too long. They don't know how to set them properly," he said. "If they're older toilets, they don't realize they're using 5 gallons a flush. so we'll modify them to get them lower down to three or below."
Those small changes can make a big difference. In some instances, he's helped customers cut water usage by 40 to 50 percent.
And Flores doesn't just give out advice, he'll install equipment he'll give to homeowners for free, like a low-flow showerhead for Lewin.
WATER DISTRICT INSPECTION INFORMATION
Sacramento County Water Agency | 866-685-2322
Sacramento Suburban Water District | 916.972.7171
San Juan Water District | (916) 791-0115
Citrus Heights Water District | 916-725-6873
Carmichael Water District | (916) 483-2452
Fair Oaks | (916) 967-5723
City of Roseville | 916-774-5761
Elk Grove Water District | 916-685-3556
Placer County Water Agency | 530-823-4850
El Dorado Irrigation District | 530-622-4513
City of Folsom | 355-7252
Del Paso Manor Water District | 916-487-0419
