What To Do During The Sonoma County Drought

If you’ve lived in the Sonoma County area for more than a few years, you may have noticed the dried up rivers and cracking land masses. Despite the large amount of rain Sonoma County received in 2021, the area has had too much of a deficit of rainfall over the last two years.

Holding onto as much of this valuable resource as possible is critical for not only our residents, but our livestock and crops as well. Our soil is trying to catch up and hold onto reserves all at once. Ultimately, we will not be able to produce as much sustenance or physically support the needs of our community unless we work together to conserve water. A long drought in extreme temperatures also increases the chance of a wildfire.

Combining the lack of rainfall over an extended period of time and heat waves multiplies the impact a drought will have on our community, and reduces the resources to combat it. The beginning and end of a dry weather period are unpredictable so taking steps now to protect this precious, lacking resource is necessary to prepare for the worst possible scenario.

What are some things you can do to conserve water TODAY?

• Try adopting a lawn-free landscape. Although this method is incredibly helpful with reducing the amount of water used for land beautification, make sure you properly remove any dead, dry vegetation as needed.
• Only run your dishwasher and/or clothes washer when they are full.
• Don’t let water run while shaving, lathering your hands with soap, brushing teeth or rinsing dishes. Use less water with each of these activities.
• Check toilets and faucets for leaks and repair as needed.
• Water your outside plants early in the morning to prevent loss from wind and evaporation
• Use a broom to clean your driveway, as opposed to a water hose.
• Wash your car minimally with a bucket of soapy water and an automatic shutoff nozzle.

Using these tips, you can be proud of the work you are doing to conserve water during the current drought Sonoma County is experiencing! Having water available to handle daily tasks, as well as a potential wildfire, will keep our community strong.