Ed. Note: The following article is a news release provided by the Valencia Water Company.

Valencia Water Company customers will soon receive an an updated “personal drought report” in the mail.

The report will specify exactly how much water they need to save to meet the mandatory 24 percent reduction in water use during the state’s unprecedented drought.

Since first introduced last year, customers have used these reports to significantly reduce their water use at home, at businesses or with dedicated landscape areas.

Utilizing a computer program analyzing individual water use and other factors, updated drought reports answer the question:  “Exactly how much water do I need to save each week or month to reach my 24 percent drought reduction target?”

“Having a specific number of gallons to save – tailored to your specific residence or business – is a very, very useful figure. As this drought lingers and the regulations increase, our customers have appreciated this level of detail,” said Keith Abercrombie, Valencia Water Company’s general manager. “They are using these numbers, along with our rebates and conservation tips, to save billions of gallons of water.”

Customers also can find their personal drought report number by logging onto their online accounts at www.valenciawater.com.

In addition to the drought target number for saving 24 percent in 2015-2016, the updated reports will show customers how much water they saved in 2014.

Under regulations that went into effect June 1, 2015, water companies and agencies throughout California are now required to reduce water use by specific percentages through the end of February 2016.

Valencia Water Company’s mandate is to reduce water by 24 percent from comparable months in 2013.

To reduce water use by 24 percent from actual water usage in 2013, a typical Valencia household would have to save about 820 gallons per week.

“While 820 gallons per week may sound like a lot of water to save, our charts and tips on these reports show customers multiple water-saving techniques that add up to hundreds of gallons a week,” said Matt Dickens, Valencia Water Company’s resource conservation manager.

For example, reducing irrigation times, taking shorter showers, using only full loads for laundry and dishes, turning off the faucet when washing hands or brushing teeth, and installing a weather-based irrigation controller can easily add up to 800 or more gallons saved per week.

Fixing leaks also is a great way to save substantial amounts of water. About 10 percent of all homes have leaks that waste at least 90 gallons or more per day. One leaking toilet can waste between 200 and 6,000 gallons per day. Replacing a worn toilet flapper costs $5 and takes about five minutes.

Valencia Water Company also is offering free to customers water-saving faucet aerators and hose nozzles with automatic shut-off features. Also free is an at-home water “tune-up” in which an expert will inspect a home for leaks, install water-saving devices and offer water conservation information.

Valencia Water Company customers also can receive up to 25 free high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles as well as rebates for other irrigation system improvements, including converting spray systems to drip. Rebates are also available for purchasing high-efficiency clothes washers and pool covers.

More details are available on the Valencia Water Company website www.valenciawater.com or by calling 661-294-0828.  For regular tips and updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ValenciaWater.  Together, we’ll save water.

About Valencia Water Company

Valencia Water Company serves approximately 118,000 people in the Santa Clarita Valley, including Valencia, Stevenson Ranch and portions of Newhall, Saugus and Castaic. Valencia supplies its customers with high-quality water supplied from local wells and from imported supplies. Valencia has served the Santa Clarita Valley since 1965. Valencia Water Company can be reached at: www.valenciawater.com or 661-294-0828.