April 16, 2025

Introduction

It’s been seven years since Greta Thunberg held her first "School Strike for Climate" outside the Swedish parliament, sparking a global youth climate movement. And my, haven’t we all grown? Gone are the days of thinking reusable straws alone will save the planet. This year, it’s all about hyperlocal actions that will make a meaningful difference in our own communities.

In Los Angeles, this means rethinking our relationship with water. Here’s a wild fact: nearly 20% of California’s electricity goes just to treating and pumping water hundreds of miles all across the state. That means water conservation for Angelenos isn’t just about fighting drought—it’s also a super important way to cut our state’s overall carbon footprint.

The best part? Saving water is easier than you might think, and Earth Day is the perfect time to start.

From shorter showers to smarter food choices, here’s how you can start making a meaningful difference today.

1. Keep Your Showers Short & Sweet

Long showers can be a great way to unwind, but they also send gallons of water right down the drain. Try using your favorite song as a timer the next time you sud up. Cutting your shower time from ten down to five minutes can save up to 10 precious gallons. Bonus points if you keep a bucket in the shower to collect extra water for your plants or flushing the toilet!

2. Upgrade to Water-Saving Appliances

Want to save thousands of gallons of water a year without even thinking about it? Swapping out old appliances for water-efficient ones—like low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and high-efficiency dishwashers—can make a huge difference. Check with your local water agency to see if they offer discounts or incentives to help with the switch.

3. Capture Rainwater for Later

If you’ve got the space, rain barrels are an easy way to make the most of the little rain our region gets. They can collect valuable runoff that can be used for watering gardens, rinsing outdoor furniture, or even flushing toilets. If you are a LADWP customer, you can even get up to $50 for a rain barrel - check here for more details!

4. Compost for a Healthier, More Water-Wise Ecosystem

Composting isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s also an important to way create healthier soil that’s better capable of holding onto moisture, meaning you won’t have to water as often. Nutrient-rich compost helps plants thrive, reduces runoff, and supports a more resilient ecosystem. LA Sanitation and Environment provides free home composting workshops and LASAN also provides free mulch and compost to residents.

5. Eat More Plant-Based Meals

Cutting back on meat is one of the most effective ways to conserve water. Producing just one pound of beef takes about 1,800 gallons of water—compared to grains, beans, or veggies, the difference is staggering. Even swapping in a few plant-based meals each week can shrink your water footprint in a big way.

6. Fix Leaks Fast

Even a tiny drip can waste hundreds of gallons over time. The average household leak wastes 10,000 gallons per year. Leaky toilets, outdoor hoses, and hidden pipe leaks are some of the biggest water-wasters in a home. Smart home water monitors, like those from Flume, can help by tracking your water use in real-time and flagging potential leaks before they spiral into bigger issues. LADWP customers can request free toilet leak detection dye tables at www.ladwp.com/freewcitems and customers can also purchase a Flume device for just $24 – more information available at www.ladwp.com/flume.

7. Ditch the Lawn or Go Drought-Tolerant

Traditional grass lawns are notoriously thirsty. If you're ready for an upgrade, consider swapping yours for drought-tolerant landscaping with California Friendly or native plants. These sustainable alternatives require way less water, support local pollinators, and look great year-round. Plus, LADWP offers a $5/sq foot rebate to help with the transition. For more inspiration, check out LADWP’s California Friendly Landscaping website for plant lists, free design plans, and other resources to get started.

8. Water Smarter, Not Harder

When and how you water your garden matters. Watering in the early morning or late evening can help prevent evaporation and drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses can also deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing waste and runoff.

9. Use a Broom, Not a Hose

Sweeping your driveway, patio, or sidewalk instead of hosing it down is also one super simple habit to change, getting the job of cleaning your yard done without wasting dozens of gallons of water each time.

10. Be Aware of Greenwashing

Not every “eco-friendly” product is as sustainable as it claims to be. Many brands use buzzwords like "natural" or "sustainable" as a marketing gimmick to attract customers without taking actual meaningful steps to mitigate their environmental impacts. But by doing just a little more research such as looking for third-party certifications or concrete environmental commitments, you can support companies that truly prioritize people and planet.

11. Talk About It!

Finally, sustainability shouldn’t be a once-a-year conversation. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about simple ways to conserve water. Share tips, swap ideas, and normalize water-wise habits in everyday life. The more we bring these conversations into our communities, the greater impact we can have.

Conclusion

This Earth Day, let’s go beyond the basics. It’s time to think local, be intentional, and build a future where water is adequately valued, respected, and protected. Because when we take care of our water, we take care of our planet and our communities—and that’s something worth celebrating.

Leveling Up for Earth Day: Water-Saving Habits That Actually Matter