May is Water Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to remind our community about the importance of water conservation.

As you know, California is still in the throws of a historic drought. While the State Water Resources Control Board considers permanent water restrictions, there are other steps residents can take to help conserve this precious resource.

Historically, in May as the thermometer begins to jump up, so does water use. Of that water used, "as much as 70 percent... is for outdoor uses such as watering lawns, washing cars and cleaning driveways and patios," according to a recent press release from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA).  

Below are some water conservation tips included in the IEUA press release:  

• Shut off sprinklers after rainfall.
• Sweep, don’t spray. 
• Install drip and smart irrigation systems.
• Upgrade your indoor and outdoor water fixtures.
• Run only full loads in the dish and clothes washer.

“May is a perfect time to inspect outdoor irrigation systems and take advantage of the water use efficiency rebate programs made available through IEUA and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. El Nino has not impacted our community like anticipated and we are encouraging the community to use water wisely this summer and all year long,” said IEUA Board President Terry Catlin. 

For more water conservation tips and information on water rebates and conservation efforts by IEUA, visit www.KickWaterWaste.com. For information about Babcock Laboratories' testing services for drinking water, click here.