Amador Water Agency
12800 Ridge Road
Sutter Creek, CA 95685

Water is one of the most vital resources we have in Amador County.  The Agency’s policies and practices are designed to promote wise and efficient use of our limited water supply and recognize that water conservation is a key component to the reliability of our water supply. 

"Water is a precious and limited resource essential for the public health, safety, and economic well-being of Amador County. The Amador Water Agency shall manage its water supplies to assure future availability and support other local water initiatives that achieve the same goal. Amador Water Agency will accomplish this by adopting, funding, implementing, and promoting a comprehensive program for water conservation, efficiency, quality protection and reuse. " Board of Directors November, 2010

Efficient use of existing water supplies is extremely important to Amador Water Agency (Agency). In reflection of this philosophy, the Agency has developed a Conservation Plan, building upon conservation strategies identified and documented in the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) with the intent to further extend the Agency’s water resources. Amador Water Agency is committed to maximizing available water resources and minimizing the need to obtain additional water supplies. They have done this, and will continue to do so, by utilizing water management tools and developing strategic partnerships with upstream, downstream, and nearby agencies and districts. Further, the Agency is committed to working with the public to facilitate regional water management efforts and to educate regarding the importance of water conservation. The Agency predicts that, by working with their numerous partners and implementing the programs described in this Conservation Plan, they will be able to continue managing and efficiently using their existing water supply sources through at least the year 2030.

• Conservation Goals
  
  • To create a well informed service area where all citizens understand and value the economic, social and environmental benefits that water provides and recognize the need to conserve it;
    
    
  • To allow water users to have meaningful information available to them about the amount of water they use, how to reduce their own consumption, and why they should;
    
    
    
  • To ensure that local water resources are used wisely and reduce overall water usage within the Agency’s service area;
    
    
    
  • To prevent water supply shortages now and in the future; and
    
    
  • To provide adequate water supply for public health, fire protection, and other essential services, as well as water for the economic health of Amador County.
    
    
• Water Wise Garden
• Links to Conservation Sites
  • Save our Water (California Dept of Water Resources)
  • Waterwiser (American Water Works Assoc.)
  • The Renewable Planet
  • Water Conservation for Kids
  • Eartheasy
  • Use Water Wisely
  • California Water User Efficiency Mandate (20% by 2020)
    
    

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Conservation Tips

Outside Your Home

• Water your lawn early in the morning or at night to avoid excess evaporation.
• Do not over-water your lawn.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting.  Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture.
• Aerate your lawn: Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• Check outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks. 
• Check automatic sprinklers for leaks, and make sure they are not running when it is raining.
• Use lawn chemicals only when necessary
• Use a broom, rather than a hose to clean sidewalks or driveways
• If you have a swimming pool, use a cover.  By so doing, you can cut the loss of water by evaporation by 90 percent.
• Do not pour toxic chemicals (such as cleaning products, motor oil, weed killers, or paints) down the drain.  Dispose of them properly. Proper disposal is key to water conservation because water is easily contaminated. One gallon of improperly disposed motor oil can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water.
• Try Container gardening using drip irrigation.
• Plant  low water-use plants.
• Check and maintain your evaporative cooler so it runs efficiently and leak-free.
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
• Use a hose nozzle to turn off the water while you wash your car.                      Return

Inside your Home

• Fully load the dishwasher and clothes washer before running.
• When washing dishes by hand, or when brushing your teeth, do not leave the water running.
• Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets.  Dripping faucets can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water each year in the average home.  Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons per day.
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in a microwave instead of running hot water over the food.
• Use water-efficient showerheads
• Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
• Insulate hot water pipes so you don’t have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.  You can save this running water too for watering  your indoor plants).
• Choose water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.
• Turn off the water while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than to gallons a week.
• If your toilet was installed prior to 1980, place a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush.  Be sure these decies do not interfere with operating parts.   Return

  In Your Community

• Report significant water losses from broken pipes, open fire hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or to the Water Agency.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Encourage schools to develop and promote water conservation.
• Support projects that use reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.   Return