Water Conservation

SPECIAL NOTICE
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES IN EFFECT
PLEASE REDUCE YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION IMMEDIATELY!!

On January 28, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Bolinas Community Public Utility District passed Resolution 575 declaring a prolonged drought condition in the district, issuing a special water supply alert, and enacting immediate mandatory conservation measures. This action was necessary due to the status of our water supply, based on the last two years of lower-than-average rainfall, combined with the historic low rainfall of the 2008-09 winter season to-date. To have sufficient water available to supply our customers during 2009, to protect public health and safety, and to provide adequate fire protection, the BCPUD Board has determined that all customers must immediately limit their consumption to no more than 150 gallons (or 20 cubic feet) per service connection per day, which is equivalent to 1800 cubic feet per billing quarter.. Please note this is not a per-person limit, this is a per-service connection limit. Further adjustments to this water use restriction may be made if water shortages continue and our supply of water is further diminished. Customers currently using more than this allotment will also receive notices hand-delivered to their homes to inform them of their present water usage and the requirement to reduce consumption immediately. Initial violations of the per-day water use limit will result in written warnings; repeated violations will result in the shut-off of your water service.

The BCPUD Board and staff appreciate that these mandatory water conservation measures will require significant lifestyle adjustments for many of our customers for the duration of the drought and we thank you in advance for all of the efforts that you will make this year. To inform yourself about how much water you currently use, you can check your most recent water bill or contact our office. We would be happy to assist you in implementing water conservation measures at your property: please call us at 868-1224 for advice. In addition, if you would like to learn how to read your water meter to self-monitor your usage, please call us.

The following is data about typical domestic water uses that we hope will be helpful to you:

NOTE: The water use limit is 150 gallons per day. This is not an averaged amount. If we read your meter in a 24 hour period and you have gone over 150 gallons (20 cubic feet) in that 24 hours, you will receive a warning.

For example, if you use 130 gallons on Tuesday, it does not mean that you then get to use 170 gallons on Wednesday. If we read your meter and you are over 150 gallons on any given day, you will be out of compliance with resolution 575.
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Important numbers to remember:
20 cubic feet per day = 150 gallons per day
There are 7.48 gallons per cubic foot
150 gallons per day averages to 1800 cubic feet per quarter, which is our billing cycle. If you want to know what your quarterly average is, please check your water bills or call our office.

Please click on the link below to find out how to read your meter. Please check you meter daily to make sure that you are staying under the limit.

How To Read Your Meter

Water Conservation Links:
Eartheasy - Ideas for environmentally sustainable living

California Water Service Co. - Other district with good water conservation advise.

How to Conduct a Household Water Audit

Cooperative Extension Service - University of Kentucky. Good source of daily water usages.

House - Water Saver Home

Gallons Used - Conventional	Gallons Used - Low Flow/Water Saving
Toilet Flushing 5-7 gallons per flush	1.5 - 3.5 gallons per flush
Shower 7-10 gallons per minute	2-4 gallons per minute
Bath 36-50 gallons
Laundry 45-50 gallons per load	12-17 gallons per load
Dishwasher 15 gallons per load	7 gallons per load
Dishwashing by hand 30 gallons (tap running)	5-10 gallons (tap not running)
Brushing teeth 10 gallons (tap running)	1-3 gallons (tap not running)
Garden Watering 630 gallons (1/2 inch hose running at 60 lbs per sq. inch for 1 hour) 1,020 gallons (5/8 inch hose running at 60 lbs per sq. inch for 1 hour) 1,860 gallons (3/4 inch hose running at 60 lbs per sq. inch for 1 hour)