Conservation tips and consumption calculator

A new California State mandate requires water suppliers to activate their water conservation plans. In compliance with this law, the Menlo Park City Council activated the existing Menlo Park Municipal Water conservation plan. This plan will only affect Menlo Park Municipal Water customers.

The Menlo Park Municipal Water conservation plan includes a 20% district-wide water reduction goal. This is a collective/overall reduction goal and will not be applied to individual customers. In order to achieve this shared goal, try implementing some of the water-saving tips below.

Calculate your water consumption

Try out the Water Footprint Calculator, and then use the following tips to reduce your water footprint!

Indoor tips to conserve water

• Replace standard toilets with WaterSense-labeled toilet, install a toilet take water-saving insert, or replace old, leaky toilet flappers—a relatively easy, inexpensive do-it-yourself project that pays for itself in no time.
• Replace clothes washers with an EnergyStar-labeled washer and only wash a full load of clothes.
• Replace standard showerheads with WaterSense-labeled showerheads and reduce the length of showers or turn off the water while washing your hair (saves up to 150 gallons per month).
• Install WaterSense-labeled faucets or aerators on all faucets, and reduce the amount of time the faucet is running by two minutes per person per day.
• Use a fully loaded dishwasher or separated wash/rinse tubs for washing dirty dishes.
• Recycle indoor water outdoors: put a bucket in your shower and use it to water plants.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons of water every time.

Outdoor tips to conserve water

• Let your lawn go dormant. Brown is the new green! Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three to four weeks, less if it rains.
• Replace most outdoor turfgrass and plants with water-wise landscaping (i.e. native plants) and irrigate by hand, only as needed.
• Repair leaky or broken sprinkler heads.
• Install hose nozzles with automatic shut off valves.
• Install a drip irrigation system for non-turfgrass plants.
• Water in the early morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• To clean walkways, driveways, and entrances, use a broom rather than hosing off areas.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. Or, wash your car on the lawn to water your grass at the same time.
• Use a pool cover for your swimming pool to reduce evaporation.

Water conservation tips for your yard