Forgive me reader for I have sinned. It's been two weeks since my last blog. Since then I have received a bill from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). We have used an excessive amount of water in the first two weeks living in our new home. By excessive, I mean about 1,600 gallons per day on average, which is about six times the average for a household in the East Bay. There, it's out there. I feel like an overweight doctor admitting to a two-pack a day cigarette habit.
After hearing the news from EBMUD, Michele and I did some soul searching, which led us directly to the irrigation system, which we have pretty much ignored since moving in, since neither one of us could figure out how to program the darn thing. But there is nothing that focuses the mind like guilt. I took out my sword of self-righteousness and cut, cut, cut-- to half as much water for half the amount of time on half the days. That’s more than an 85% reduction.
Since the cuts, we haven't noticed a big difference in the lawn and plants. The crabgrass looks as good as ever. If we are right, and I think we are, that it is the irrigation that is using the bulk of the water, and not showers, cooking, and laundry, than the next billing cycle should get us down to at least the average amount of water used. Not perfect for a professional water- and energy-use haranguer, but a good start.
We also contacted EBMUD and scheduled a water audit of our indoor and outdoor water use. Michele called and left a message and they returned her call in an hour! This utility is on our side! (Go the their Web site, www.ebmud.com, and click on the Conservation and Recycling link on the left-hand side of the page to find out more.) Someone is actually coming to our house the day this blog will appear. I’m sure other water utilities in the Bay Area offer similar services.
I firmly resolve with the help of EBMUD to sin no more.
