Water Conservation
There are multiple ways to help conserve water without causing disruption to day-to-day life activities. This page provides a small number of suggested adjustments that in addition to conserving water, you can count on for bigger savings on your yearly water bill.
Always check your local water district's restrictions as those always take precedents to the recommendations on this page.
Conservation Around the House
Fix Leaks - 5 Minute Whole House Leak Detection Test
- Turn off all faucets throughout the house (washing machine hook-ups, bath, etc.) to assure no water is running; be sure to check all automatic water users such as an irrigation system or an automatic ice maker
- Watch the small dial on the water meter for 3 to 5 minutes
- To check for very slow leaks, turn your water off overnight, read your meter once at night and again in the morning
- If you have a water softener, check on a night when you are not recharging
- If your meter moves, you probably have a leak
Be mindful that some local water districts require leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions must be repaired as soon as 5 business days.
Quick Installations
Even quick installations can make a marked difference in your household water use. Try installing aerators, water-efficient shower heads and low-flow toilets to save even more water.
Conservation Around the Yard
Rethink How You Water
- Water early in the morning
- Reposition sprinklers away from pavement to avoid runoff
- Switch to drip irrigation
- Install rain shut off devices
- Avoid watering outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall (0.25 inch)
- Recycle household water in a gray water system, remember to use biodegradable soaps to avoid harming plants with chemicals
Choosing Water Smart Plants
Need help finding the right plants? The following links provide databases that help narrow down choosing the right plants based on water needs:
- Water Use Classification of Landscape Species | Database of Landscape Species Water Needs
- Calscape | Database of California Native Plants
Save Our Trees
- Importance of Trees
Improved air quality - Provides shade
- Cool streets and homes = reducing energy cost
- Shaded landscape requires less water = reducing water usage
- Replenish groundwater by slowing stormwater runoff
Tree Care Tips
- Water young trees with water collected in a 5-gallon bucket while waiting for your shower to warm up
- Add mulch
- Tree watering guidelines can be found at the Canopy website
Additional Resources
Water Conservation
- Save Our Water
- Water Use It Wisely | 100 Plus Water-Saving Tips
- Save Our Water | 20% Reduction in Average Daily Use (PDF)
- Save Our Water | 20% Reduction in Outdoor Water Use (PDF)
- Save Our Water | 20% Reduction in Garden Use (PDF)
- City of Folsom | Irrigation Basics Brochure (PDF)
- CalWater | Water-Use Restrictions for Chico, Oroville, and Willows (PDF)
Trees
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Kamie Loeser
DirectorPhone: 530-552-3590
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Water & Resource Conservation
Physical Address
308 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-552-3595Fax: 530-538-3807