Conserving 20 gallons of water a day can pose quite a challenge. Yet many people in the community take on that challenge, with a few easy tips and a little dedication.

The seemingly impossible task is much easier than people think. If each person does their part and cuts a few corners, the community can accomplish a lot.

“I do whatever I can to save water,” criminology major Bryce Laemmlen said. “It’s important not to waste water because water is the most important thing we have on earth.”

In April 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared California to be in a state of emergency due to drought conditions. Supplies have been cut due to the Delta smelt in the Sierra Snow peaks. He encouraged businesses and residents to help conserve water and to contribute to the 20-gallon challenge. Since then, many citizens have pitched in to help the urban communities save water.

There are many ways you can help your community save water. Just by fixing a leak you can save 10 gallons of water per minute. By turning off the water when you brush your teeth, you save two gallons of water per minute.

Everyone can do their part, and 20 gallons is not very much to cut from your daily life. Just take shorter showers and save two and a half gallons a minute, or only fill the bathtub half way up and you save 15-25 gallons per bath.

The bathroom is the easiest place to save water. Fix all leaky sinks, showerheads and toilets and save 30-500 gallons per day, per leak. Also, don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket; only flush when necessary.

“I only take 10 minute showers and I always turn off the water when I brush my teeth,” said Courtney Berg, a kinesiology major.

You can also help in everyday household chores. Turn the water off while washing dishes or only use the dishwasher when it is full, to save two and a half gallons of water per minute. Also, only do the laundry when the load is completely full. In the yard you can fix leaky sprinklers and hoses, saving 15 gallons per minute, and cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation and the time between cleanings.

“It’s pretty catchy,” said Nora Laikam, the Water Conservation Supervisor for the City of Fresno. “People like to know that they can help do something about it.”

Soon the community will have to start personally paying for the water that they use.

Fresno uses about 300 gallons of water, per person, per day. That is more than some cities of the same size because of the hot weather. However, Laikam said water usage in Fresno has gone down recently.

To help a little bit more, the city of Fresno Water Division offers a free landscape service to the community. They come to a home and set up a timer on the irrigation system in the yard to stop from over watering. They also check the efficiency of the existing irrigation system and help fix any leaks or problems. For more information, go to www.fresnowater.org.