Oceanside CA- With 2013 being the driest year in California recorded history and an expectation of a third consecutive dry year in 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has proclaimed a State of Emergency to focus Californians’ attention on the need to conserve water. The Governor called for a voluntary statewide 20 percent reduction in water use. “We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Governor Brown. “I’ve declared this emergency and I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”
There are no cutbacks or drought restrictions in Oceanside at this time. However, customers are asked to use water wisely and to practice water conservation measures so that water is not wasted. The following are a few water-wise tips you can implement in and around your home.

• Water only in late evening or early morning hours to reduce evaporation and interference from wind.
• Don’t overwater. Reduce each irrigation cycle by 1-3 minutes, or eliminate one irrigation cycle per week.
• Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off. Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads.
• Use appliances efficiently. Run the dishwater only when full.
• Shorten showers, and turn off faucet when not in use.
• Wash only full loads of clothes.
• Fix leaky toilets and faucets around the house.
• Replace older, inefficient appliances such as clothes washers, and toilets, with water efficient appliances.

More water saving tips and services can be found at http://www.saveourh2o.org/. Your efforts to reduce water waste will help our community better meet the needs of our environment and will further help our State to meet the Governor’s most recent 20 percent water saving goals.