Tips for Encouraging Kids to Use Water Wisely

Over the last several years, California’s historic drought has challenged all of us to see just how much water we can conserve. Many of us let our lawns go golden, took shorter showers and made our landscapes more water wise—and it showed. Our region had some of the highest water reductions in the state.

The drought emergency proved that we could all come together to conserve when needed. The drought also helped show us that everyone has an important role to play in conserving water—kids included.

This year, we’re fortunate to have a respite from the emergency thanks to winter’s snow and rainfall in Northern California. But, it’s still important to maintain those good water-saving habits formed during the drought and to create new ones.

Here are some tips to help kids understand the importance of using water wisely every day—even when there is no drought emergency--and the actions they can take to be water smart for a lifetime:

Show Them Where Water Really Comes From

In the Sacramento region, water comes from two sources: surface water sources such as the American and Sacramento rivers and underground water basins called aquifers. Water is pumped out of the rivers and from underground, treated and sent to our homes for drinking, cooking, bathing and watering our landscapes.

While the concept of underground water can be difficult even for adults, it’s easy to show kids our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. Get out and enjoy Folsom Lake, the American River (North or Middle Fork) the Ralston Picnic area) and the Sacramento River or Auburn Ravine. This helps kids understand the connection between water in the environment and the water that comes out of the tap. If they appreciate these precious resources, they’ll better appreciate the need to use water wisely.

Teach them where water is used at home.

In our region, most of the water we use at home goes toward watering our landscapes—and that’s where we can make the biggest difference in overall water use. While landscape watering is typically an adult responsibility, kids can still play a part by using a shut-off nozzle on their garden hose and telling adults about water-wasting problems, like broken sprinklers.

Inside our homes, toilets are the biggest water user, followed by the clothes washer, showers, faucets and leaks. Knowing this can help kids better understand why it’s important to not use the toilet as a trash can and to take shorter showers.

Make Them A Water Detective

There are so many easy things kids (and adults) can do to save water. Teach them the simple tips they can do every day, like turning off the water when soaping hands or brushing teeth. Also, teach them to be a water detective to look for things around the house that waste water—a dripping faucet or hose bib, for example. This hands-on learning will help your whole household save water.

We are fortunate in this region to be surrounded by beautiful waterways that make our community unique. Teaching your youngest consumers about why and how to use water efficiently is critical to ensuring they grow to be responsible stewards of those resources and our community.

Linda Higgins is Deputy Director of Customer Services for Placer County Water Agency, and Amy Talbot is the Water Efficiency Program Manager for the Regional Water Authority. Learn more tips and information about free water saving programs and rebates at BeWaterSmart.info.

Local Resources for Learning About Water

• Roseville Utility Exploration Center on Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Roseville is an environmental learning center with information about protecting natural resources in a fun, engaging way. Topics covered include energy efficiency, renewable technology, water conservation and recycling. Learn more at www.roseville.ca.us/explore.
• Water-Efficient Landscape Gardens throughout the region—these are great places to enjoy a picnic and wander around beautiful, water-wise landscaping. You can also learn about water-efficient sprinkler systems, plants that attract butterflies and other River-Friendly landscaping tips. Find a list of gardens at bewatersmart.info/residential-resources.
• American River Water Education Center, located near Folsom Dam, has numerous water use and efficiency displays. Learn more at www.usbr.gov/mp/arwec.
• Local water providers, including Placer County Water Agency, has knowledgeable staff available to speak about water efficiency at community functions. Learn more by contacting PCWA Customer Services at (530) 823-4850 or email at customerservices@pcwa.net.