water woes

we tightened our water conservation belts about a week ago.  we are fairly frugal anyway (compared to many),  but we want to save even more.  i use alot of water for my plants, and i know the water district will begin rationing and raise prices again this summer, so we figured maybe we could offset our plant usage with less house use.

the biggest (visual) savings we have is when we capture the cold water that runs while waiting for the hot water to come out of the spigot.  we use large plastic snack containers - from costco - sans snacks;  shove them under the faucet till the water runs warm and then take that water to a bucket that eventually will be poured on a plant outside.  since our water heater is a long way from the kitchen sink - that adds up quickly.  i've also become more conscious about turning the water off more often during teeth brushing, etc.  boyd uses a bowl of water to clean his razor in between swipes at his beard.  he used to use running hot water.
when it gets a bit warmer i will use less water in the shower - but, for now, a hot shower is glorious.  :)  some people save with their toilets - only flushing the nastiest of things...but I hate smelly bathrooms.  i suppose when i see the water bill rise i will become more militaristic about it all.

boyd and i just compared last year and this year's water bill for april.  we used 48% less water this year - and paid only $5 less than last year.  the price went up ~ 45% in a year.  AND the serious pricing increases will begin with the next bill.  it will include payment tiers.  if you use x amount of water - you pay on that  x scale.  if you go over that x amount of water - you pay the extra water at a higher rate.  ouch. 

we are setting ourselves up for a pretty hefty bill.   that is some expensive lettuce i'm growing.  (big sigh).  i knew it would be when we began our garden project, but somehow it feels different when you see the actual numbers --- on the bills and in the checkbook.  hmmm.  i think i will change the water sprayer in the garden to a sprayer that is more exact about where the water lands.  i don't want to waste any water on something that i don't want to grow.   maybe i should research a soaker systems.  big lots has 50 foot soaker hoses for $8 now.  i hope we can make our garden work - and stay ahead of the increased cost.

it really is amazing that southern california continues to have green spaces.  with the diminishing water supply - the water department's answers can be harsh to abusers.  they will shut off your water if you use too much, and there is a fine.  sometimes the state will tell the avocado and orange growers to cut down their trees!  there are many flower growers in north county that will close down because of the water situation here.  Some already have.

when the rains were in full swing - and the mountains were full of snow - I thought maybe we could end this drought.  it was a good season, but not good enough.  maybe next year.