Between June 2025 and June 2026, over 1 million gallons of water was lost between both residential and commercial properties in Groveland and Big Oak Flat. 

 

 

What's your water footprint?

You may have some understanding about your carbon footprint, but howmuch do you know about your water footprint? The water footprint ofan individual, community, or business is defined as the total volume of fresh water that is used to produce the goods and services that are consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. For example, 11 gallons of water are needed to irrigate and wash the fruit in one half-gallon container of orange juice. Thirty-seven gallons of water are used to grow, produce, package, and ship the beans in that morning cup of coffee. Two hundred and sixty-four gallons of water are required to produce one quart of milk, and 4,200 gallons of water are required to produce two pounds of beef. According to the U.S. EPA, the average American uses over 180 gallons of water daily. In fact, in the developed world, one flush of a toilet uses as much water as the average person in the developing world allocates for an entire day’s cooking, washing, cleaning, and drinking. The annual American per capita water footprint is about 8,000 cubic feet, twice the global per capita average. With water use increasing sixfold in the past century, our demands for fresh water are rapidly outstripping what the planet can replenish.

To check out your own water footprint, go to watercalculator.org.

 

 

Water is our most precious natural resource, and we must all work together to protect and conserve it. Here are some ideas on how you can make a difference!

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

 In the Bathroom:

• Take shorter showers (aim for 5 minutes or less).
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Install water-efficient shower heads and faucets.
• Fix leaks—one dripping faucet can waste gallons of water per day.
• Use a dual-flush or low-flow toilet, and don’t flush unnecessarily.

 In the Kitchen:

• Only run the dishwasher when full and use the eco-cycle if available.
• When washing dishes by hand, use a basin instead of running water continuously.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run until it’s cold.
• Use the garbage disposal less—compost food scraps instead.

 In the Laundry Room:

• Wash full loads of laundry to maximize efficiency.
• Upgrade to a high-efficiency washing machine.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

In the Garden and Lawn:

• Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses instead of sprinklers.
• Replace grass lawns with drought-tolerant native plants or artificial turf.
• Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce the need for watering.
• Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.

 Car Washing & Hardscapes:

• Wash your car at a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Collect and reuse rainwater for outdoor watering.

Other Water-Saving Habits

General Water Conservation:

• Check for leaks in pipes, faucets, and irrigation systems.
• Follow local water restrictions during drought conditions.
• Spread awareness and encourage family and friends to conserve water.

 

 

Stage 1 - Water Shortage Contingency Plan

With no drought restrictions in place, GCSD may transition to State 1 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires that each water supplier provide a Water Shortage Contingency Plan that outlines how the supplier will prepare for and respond to water shortages. The Plan outlines the District’s stages of response based on water supply conditions within the District’s service area.

Stages of Action

The Water Shortage Contingency Plan provides six stages of response based on water supply conditions due to water supply conditions within the service area. The initial Advisory Stage, set at 10 percent reduction, is a voluntary stage to preserve water in the early stages of a potential shortage. The other five stages of conservation levels identified in the Plan are designated to respond to increasingly severe supply shortages. 

State 1 – Potential Shortage Stage 1 will always be in place, even in non-drought conditions as a water waste prohibition to provide a conservation program framework for reducing GCSD demands by up to 10 percent. 

The following conservation measures will be implemented during this stage:

• Education programs
• Promotion of water-saving landscaping
• Requirement of low-flow fixtures in new developments.
• Meter and/or flow control for all customer accounts and plant production activities.
• Maintain tiered water rates for treated water.
• Prohibit wasteful use of water.
• Review water measuring and/or metering devices for accuracy.