SAVE OUR WATER 2014 CALENDAR
This calendar will help our partners keep track of Save Our Water events, campaigns and social media efforts. There
may be changes made over the year (which we will inform you through our partner updates) but this tool should help
your agency integrate the Save Our Water messages into your programs.
THEME
Suggested Social Media
Posts/Tweets
Partner Quarterly Webinar
THEME
Suggested Social Media
Posts/Tweets
THEME
Fix-A-Leak Week
Suggested Social Media
Posts/Tweets
THEME
Suggested Social Media
Posts/Tweets
Partner Quarterly Webinar
THEME
Suggested Social Media
JANUARY 2014
INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION
 Do you know how to check for toilet leaks? Put food dye in the toilet tank; wait about
15-20 minutes without flushing. If the dye appears in the toilet bowl, the flapper is
probably leaking and it should be replaced.
 Taking shorter showers is an easy way to save water. 5 min showers instead of 10 min
showers can save 60-120 gallons of water each time!
 California needs to s-t-r-e-t-c-h its water supply. You can help by running your
dishwasher only when it’s FULL.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
FEBRUARY 2014
INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION
 We’re all in this together! Remind your roommates and family members only to run
the dishwasher or washing machine with full loads.
 Most of us know better than to run the faucet while we brush our teeth. But do you let
the water run when you shave? Save water but only turning on that faucet or shower
when you need to.
 Do you know that technology can help control your sprinkler system now? Install a
smart timer and your days of watering when it rains are over!
MARCH 2014
CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHECK YOUR SPRINKLERS
 Change Your Clocks, Check Your Sprinklers/March 9, 2014
 Sunset/SOW Spring Water-Wise Gardening Twitter Party
EPA Watersense’s annual Fix-A-Leak Week (March 17-23)
 It’s that time of the year—time to turn our clocks forward! Take a minute to check the
battery and settings of your sprinkler timer.
 Don't forget to change your clocks tonight AND check your sprinkler timer and sprinkler
system this weekend!
APRIL 2014
WATER-WISE GARDENING HOW-TO’S
 Need to replace or add plants in your garden? Use Sunset’s Plant Finder to pick plants
that are water-wise and right for your climate. http://bit.ly/PGpBaa
 Looking for landscaping inspiration? Save Our Water’s website has photo galleries and
videos of dozens of California homes with water-wise landscaping:
http://bit.ly/J0Vw0s.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
MAY 2014
SAVE OUR WATER MONTH
 Overwatering is a common way we all waste water outdoors. Watering for fewer days
Posts/Tweets
THEME
Suggested Social Media
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Suggested Social Media
Posts/Tweets
Partner Quarterly Webinar
THEME
Suggested Social Media
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Suggested Social Media
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Suggested Social Media
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Partner Quarterly Webinar
THEME
for the appropriate amount of time will give you healthier plants and help save
California’s water.
 Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running
water—then use that to water houseplants. A running faucet can use up to 4 gallons
per minute.
JUNE 2014
FOCUS ON WATER-WISE PLANTS
 An easy-to-care-for perennial, penstemon fills borders, rock gardens, or containers with
color from summer through fall and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s one of
our favorites! http://bit.ly/J7Gj5u
 Tip Tuesday: Replace some turf with water-wise plants and you’ll save water and time.
JULY 2014
WATER-WISE IRRIGATION
 Water-wise irrigation Twitter party (tent)
 Check out Sprinklers 101 for ideas, how-to’s and more on water-efficient sprinkler
systems and timers. http://bit.ly/10Awap4
 If you already have a sprinkler system, it's easy to convert it to a drip irrigation system.
Sprinkers101 has great online resources to help you change from old school irrigation
to drip. http://bit.ly/10Awap4
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
AUGUST 2014
WATER-WISE IRRIGATION
 Get smart: Smart timers act like a thermostat for your sprinkler system—telling it when
to turn on and off using local weather conditions. The EPA estimates that a smart
controller can save nearly 8,800 gallons of water each year!
 Want to change your water schedule but you’re missing the manual to your sprinkler
timer? Find your manual at the Save Our Water website: http://bit.ly/1hIzANA
SEPTEMBER 2014
PLANT NOW, SAVE LATER (tent—may not use in 2014 if drought worsens)
 Mulch much? A good mulch conserves water by reducing moisture evaporation from
the soil. Mulch also reduces weeds, prevents soil compaction and keeps soil
temperatures more moderate.
 Plant Now, Save Later: putting your plants in the ground now will allow them to
develop healthy root systems. By spring, their roots are established and ready for the
vigorous spring growth period.
OCTOBER 2014
PLANT NOW, SAVE LATER (tent—may not use in 2014 if drought worsens)
 Sunset Idea House featuring Save Our Water Landscaping
 Tip Tuesday: If you take the time in the fall to clear weed seed from your soil, you’ll
have fewer weeds to fight next spring and summer.
 Plants planted in the spring are often stressed by transplanting and then by the dry, hot
weather of the summer. Fall planting gives your plants a better chance of success.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
NOVEMEBER 2014
CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHECK YOUR SPRINKLERS
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Suggested Social Media
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THEME
Suggested Social Media
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Time Change: November 2, 2014
 Tip of the day: Scrape food scraps into the garbage can or a composting bin, rather
than rinsing them down your garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses up to 4.5
gallons of water per minute.
 Set your dishwasher to the light-wash setting. It cleans just as well while reducing
water use up to 55 percent!
 Save water at the supermarket: Buy 100% recycled paper products. They require much
less water in their manufacturing than do those made from virgin paper.
DECEMBER 2014
SAVING WATER AT THE HOLIDAYS
 Got a houseful of guests this holiday season? Invest in a shower timer and ask people
to keep their showers to 5 min.
 Water-saving tip of the day: Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave
instead of running hot water over them.
 Give yourself a gift that keeps on giving: invest in low-flow toilets & showerheads to
permanently reduce your household’s water use.