7 ways for kids to fight the California Drought

In February 2014 Governor Jerry Brown formally declared California to be in a drought emergency asking for voluntary cutback of water usage by 20%. Since that time we Californians have cutback a dismal 8%.

On April 2, 2015, Governor Brown checked out the snowpack at Phillips Station, located at the South Fork of the American River in the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort. The governor didn’t see any skiers because the terrain was snow-free. Experts said that the snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, our state’s watershed, was at 5% of the normal amount.

California is in deep trouble.

Pictured above is Lake Shasta, a California reservoir, which is more than 100 feet below its normal level.

So, Brown mandated 25% cutbacks making it necessary to reduce water usage by ¼ or face stiff penalties.

One way to reduce water consumption in your homes is to enlist your kids in the army of water conservationists. Here are 7 things families can do to cut back on water usage:

1. Replace water soaking green lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping. Get the kids to help. It will make a great family project.
2. Don’t flush the toilets after every use. Here’s a ditty you might like to teach your kids: When it is yellow, it’s mellow. When it’s brown, it must go down.  
3. Don’t leave water running while washing hands or brushing teeth.
4. Baths use about 37 gallons of water. Short showers use only 20 gallons.
5. Install free-flow showerheads with cut-off valves. While lathering hair and body, turn off the water. When ready, switch off the cut-off valve and water will continue to flow just the way you like it.
6. Want a glass of cold water? Instead of running the kitchen faucet, reach for a cold pitcher of refrigerated water.
7. Only use the dishwasher when it is full.

We must cut our daily water consumption in California by 25% due to the historic drought. Enlisting kids and educating them to the problem well help greatly in our water conservation efforts.