Two years of statewide drought and a drier-than-normal start to winter this year make saving water at home and at work a continued priority for every San Franciscan. Even with February rains, many Bay Area and California water agency customers are still facing mandatory cutbacks and rationing this summer.

For the last two years, the SFPUC has been able to avoid mandatory rationing through wise management of our water supplies and voluntary reductions in water use by you and our 2.5 million Bay Area customers. The SFPUC still urges at least a 10% voluntary consumption reduction goal for all our customers, with the possibility of mandatory cutbacks later this summer still not out of the question. We are closely monitoring water supply conditions and snowpack data. Your continued efforts to cut back your water use today can help avoid stricter rationing later this year. Visit this website for water supply updates and conservation tips. We’re here to help you conserve and save!

The SFPUC continues to seek a 10% voluntary reduction in water use. The typical San Francisco resident can meet that goal in about 10 gallons a day. Here are a few simple behavior changes to help meet the challenge of cutting back.

Take shorter showers. Each minute you cut saves 2.5 gallons

Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Save 2.5 gallons per minute.

Don’t pre rinse dishes. Scrape food waste into the trash or compost bin. Save 2.5 gallons per minute.

Use the Dishwasher. Surprisingly dishwashers are often more efficient than hand washing. A modern dishwasher’s cycle uses as little as 5 gallons per load, compared to running the faucet at 2+ gallons per minute.

Wait for a full load. Full loads are the most efficient way to wash clothes. A traditional clothes washing machine can run at 40+ gallons per cycle.

Use a broom. Hosing down sidewalks, driveways, and pavements is a wasteful practice. Running a garden hose can waste up to 10 gallons per minute.

Install aerators on faucets. Installing aerators on kitchen and bathroom sinks can reduce indoor water use by about 4%. Inquire about FREE aerators from the SFPUC.

Check for leaks. Do you hear the toilet running or your faucet dripping? You could be wasting thousands of gallons per month. To check for leaks, turn off all water taps inside and outside your home. Locate your water meter. If the dial is moving you may have a plumbing leak.

Adjust sprinklers so that water remains on the landscape, not the pavement. Reduce evaporation by watering during cooler temperatures at night or early morning.