Earth Day’s 45th anniversary was celebrated globally on April 22. It is the perfect time for Citrus students to start committing to a more drought-friendly lifestyle.
The time to recognize the impending danger that running the faucet too long brings is now.
Governor Jerry Brown imposed the first mandatory water use restrictions in history on the state’s 400 local water supply agencies.
The reductions on these agencies, according to the New York Times, will affect 90 percent of Californians.
Many Citrus students may now be nervously wondering just how they should be taking water conservation. In honor of Earth Day, here are 10 tips and tricks to saving water:
1. The length of the average shower is 11 minutes, and uses about 27.5 gallons of water per shower. Next time you’re ready to hop in the shower, put on your favorite six-minute song and challenge yourself to wash up more quickly.
2. Next time you catch a spider in your home and are ready to send it down the toilet, consider that toilets use between three to seven gallons of water per flush.
3. If your shower takes a couple of minutes to get warm, do not let that excess cold water go to waste. Place a bucket or a large tupperware piece over your drain and catch it to use on household or yard plants that require it.
4. Make sure your washer and dishwasher are fully loaded before use. Cutting down loads of dishes and clothes cuts down water use.
5. Instead of running the water while brushing your teeth, fill a cup with water to use for rinsing.
6. While washing your car, be mindful of how long your hose is running.
7. Check frequently for leaks in all hoses, sprinklers, faucets and pipes.
8. Consider drought-resistant desert plants to save water in your yard. Many rebates are offered on landscaping including succulents, wildflowers and cacti.
9. While at a restaurant do not order a water and leave the glass full.
10. If you have a pile up of half-full water bottles, consider utilizing the remaining water for plants or brushing teeth instead of throwing them away.
To some, these changes, though relatively simple, may seem insane. Many people seem blind to the fact that water is not an unlimited resource.
Our planet’s fresh water is being used up faster than it can be replenished.
Though the task at hand seems daunting, societal change begins with the individual. Citrus College and its students have the power to set an example for the community.
This Earth Day and beyond, the Citrus Clarion challenges you to change a habit or two for the sake of water conservation.
