If you haven’t noticed, there’s been no excuse to grab your umbrella and go puddle jumping in the rain lately. In fact, California hasn’t seen rain since the beginning of December and 2013 was the driest year on record for the Golden State. Governor Jerry Brown has officially declared a drought emergency for the State of California. According to the LA Times, the Governor is requesting “all citizens to cut back at least 20% of their water use.”

Here are some tips to cut back your water usage while living in Chico rental properties.  

1. Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load.
2. Don’t let the water just run when washing dishes by hand, washing your hands, or brushing your teeth.
   
   Tip: Consider asking your Chico rental properties property manager to install a water-and-energy efficient dishwasher. This can save 3 to 8 gallons of water per load!
    
3. Cook food in as little water as possible and select the proper pan/pot size for cooking.
4. Install an aerator on the kitchen faucet to reduce water flow.
5. Limit showers to 5 minutes instead of 10.
   
   Tip: By shaving off shower time and installing a low flow showerhead you could save about 12.5 gallons of water!
   
   
6. Water outdoor lawns and plants early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. If you have an automatic system the Chico rental properties property manager is in charge of, consider asking if it can be set to come on every few days.
7. Use a broom instead of the hose to sweep walkways, driveways and patios.
8. Collect the water you use while rinsing fruits and vegetables and use it to water house plants.
9. Patch up any water leaks or dripping faucets in your Chico rental properties.
10. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap.
11. Show your kids how to tightly turn off the water. One drip every second adds up to 5 gallons per day!
12. Take the Home Water Audit to see how water-wise you are around your home. 

Commit to Doing Your Part

While residents of California are only being requested to conserve water on a voluntary basis, doing what you can while living in Chico rental properties is a good habit to get into to help in times of drought and maybe help lower your water bill too. 

Want more rental tips and tricks or just general information to help with your next move-out or move-in? Check out our Rental Resources page and all our FREE informational eBooks!