Water shortages are increasingly common, and everything that we can do in order to save water makes a difference. Even more substantial than taking shorter showers or collecting wastewater from your kitchen or bathroom is reducing the amount of water you use outside. Gardens and landscaping are very precious but can often involve large, costly amounts of water. Not only do they involve these impositions, but also they are usually done with gas-powered, and polluting equipment. Other benefits of this idea are that it cuts the use of synthetic fertilizers, and reinforces the natural beauty of the native California landscape. There is an easier solution other than spending a fortune on water for an alluring, high maintenance garden - substitute many or all of your plants for native plants! Aside from these plants being gorgeous and easy to take care of, they don’t call for much water. Most California native plants are exquisite and look good year round, but other low water plants can be great too. California has tons of beautiful native plants that require barely any water. You can find the plants at any reputable nursery for a reasonable price. In the end, not only will you have a beautiful, exotic, and fun filled garden, but you will be saving water, the planet, and have a few extra bucks in your pocket!

We’ve all heard about “low-flow” toilets, but what about no-flow toilets?

If communities are working toward achieving sustainability goals implementing solar energy buying groups can be an effective tool.

Greywater is wastewater from baths, bathroom sinks, and washing machines that does not contain body or food wastes. The best part is you can recycle greywater and can use it for various household tasks, both indoors and out.

Storm water runoff can be a significant problem, especially around office buildings where the surrounding surfaces are often impermeable. Help the environment by collecting rain water using rain barrels and rain tanks. The collected water can then be used in a variety of ways, including as drinking water. Rain barrels and tanks come in many different shapes and sizes, some of which can be quite attractive.

 Contributed by: John Lawrence, Stanford CWP Program

Bottom Line:  Establish a baseline and goal for water efficiency in your facility.

In order to know how effectively you are saving water, you must first know how much water you've been using. Establish your baseline use during a certain year and then compare ongoing use to that baseline.

Why take your car to the wash when you can wash it home for free? Believe it or not, washing your car at home can have much more impact on local water supply and surface water quality than you would think.

The San Mateo County Pharmaceutical Drug Disposal program offers the public a convenient way for the proper disposal of expired or otherwise unwanted pharmaceuticals through participating local law enforcement agencies. Anyone can drop off unused drugs at any of 12 police departments or 2 Sheriff's Dept locations. Large white metal receptacles, similar to postal drop boxes, are publicly accessible at each location during their regular hours.

The Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) is an organization representing the interests of 24 local water suppliers throughout San Mateo, Santa Clara, and parts of Alameda Counties.

The "SMC Ready" program is part of the County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) which is funded through a Joint Powers Agreement between the 20 incorporated cities and the County of San Mateo. The SMC Ready program has a great website that provides tips and resources for businesses, households and communities in the event of an emergency.