Ventura Requests Voluntary Water Use Reduction
As you may know, Governor Brown recently proclaimed a water shortage emergency throughout the state of California. Water fed to Ventura residents through Ventura Water is provided by three main sources: the Ventura River, Lake Casitas and groundwater. Water levels in the river have remained extremely low due to the lower than normal precipitation in the area. Lake Casitas is currently at 60% capacity, with the allocation of water to be implemented if it reaches 50%. In response, Ventura requests voluntary water use reduction by at least 10% from all its residents as soon as possible.
In the Kitchen
Now would be a great time to consider upgrading your appliances to newer, more energy-efficient models in your Ventura home. An EnergyStar dishwasher, for example, uses less than 5.5 gallons per load. This is much more efficient than washing by hand. However, if a new dishwasher isn’t in the budget, consider replacing the aerator in your faucet to help reduce the amount of water coming through. If you refrigerator doesn’t have a “water in the door” option, fill a container with water and keep it in the fridge so you don’t have to run the faucet to wait for the water to get cold enough when you want a drink.
In the Bathroom
Did you know that approximately 25% of your entire indoor water consumption is in the bathroom? Check for leaks in the toilet (this can waste as much as 500 gallons a day). Replace the aerator in the sink’s faucet. Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth. Since shower heads can wear out, replace old ones with a more efficient WaterSense model.
In the Laundry Room
Another huge source of indoor water use in your Ventura home (approximately 25%) comes from washing laundry. If a new washer/dryer set is in your future, consider front loading washers instead of top loading ones. They use less water AND less energy to run. Always use the proper water setting for each load and adjust accordingly.
Outdoor Watering
It stands to reason that the biggest culprit of water usage in any Ventura household is actually outside the home (as much as 50% of the total household water usage). Install a timer for your sprinkler system to automatically set the time of day and amount of time you water. Make sure your sprinklers are turned off during rainy weather. During winter, you should only need to water once a week. Use plants and grass native to the area for maximum water efficiency. Once a month, check for leaky or misaligned sprinkler heads and broken pipes.
You can find out how your Ventura household fares in their water usage by using the water calculator at Home Water Works. Ventura requests a voluntary water use reduction from all its citizens as soon as possible. Please do your part so we don’t have to go to water rationing in the future. Thank you.
Featured Ventura County Home for Sale
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Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014
Foodies rejoice! The Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014 is almost upon us. You know what that means, right? The best local talent from top Ventura area restaurants and wineries will be competing to find out who can make the best food and wine pairing and we all get to be the judges.
What: Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014
Where: Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort (2101 Mandalay Beach Rd, Oxnard)
When: January 23, 2014 6pm to 8:30pm
Contact: Ventura County Wine Trail (805) 765-5324
The Ventura County Wine Trail will be hosting the Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014 at Oxnard’s Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort. Teams comprised of Ventura area wineries and local restaurant chefs will be offering up their best pairings of tasty morsels and robust vintages to a panel of judges to find the “Best Food & Wine Pairing”. Guests at the Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014 also get to have a say when they cast their vote for the event’s “People’s Choice” award. Trophies will be handed out at the end of the evening’s festivities.
For more information on the Ventura Food and Wine Challenge 2014, please contact the Ventura County Wine Trail. The best of Ventura County’s vintners and chefs are coming together in one location to show off their talents and we get to be the beneficiaries? How fantastic is that?!
Featured Ventura County Home for Sale
For more information on this and other Ventura County homes for sale, please visit our Ventura County MLS Search.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Ventura Restaurant Week 2014
Just about everybody likes to dine out from time to time. With the plethora of fabulous restaurants available in downtown Ventura, there are literally thousands of tasty dishes to choose from at any given time. Ventura Restaurant Week 2014 is the perfect opportunity to support the local economy while tantalizing your tastebuds.
What: Ventura Restaurant Week 2014
When: January 13-19, 2014
Where: Participating restaurants in the Ventura area
Contact: City of Ventura Offices (805) 654-7800
Ventura Restaurant Week 2014 has partnered with over 30 local downtown Ventura and Harbor Village restaurants to bring diners out of their homes. To do so, they are offering a 20% discount with the purchase of an entree. In addition to the 20% discount, the first 300 diners to complete and submit a Restaurant Week survey will be eligible for a $25 gift certificate to one of the establishments participating in Ventura Restaurant Week 2014. Please speak with your server wherever you are dining to find out more about the survey.
For a complete list of restaurants participating in Ventura Restaurant Week 2014, please visit the City of Ventura’s website. Foodies rejoice. Even Scratch Food Truck will be offering 20% off their menu this week. You’ll have to check their site to find out where they’ll be. You don’t have to feel guilty about eating out during Ventura Restaurant Week 2014. You’re dining local at a great discount. Visit your favorites and/or try something new for the new year!
Featured Ventura County Home for Sale
For more information on this and other Ventura County homes for sale, please visit our Ventura County MLS Search.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists