As part of continuing efforts for water conservation in the California State Parks system, all state parks and beaches will eliminate the use of outdoor rinse stations by July 15, according to a release from State Parks.
The state estimates more than 85 million people visit California parks each year, with visitors being the No. 1 cause of water use in the parks. Each overnight visitor requires on average approximately 25 gallons of water per day, well below an estimated 80-100 gallons of water use in homes.
Additional estimates conclude “shutting off outdoor rinse stations will conserve more than 1.2 gallons of water per shower or rinse, thus potentially saving a total of more than 18 million gallons of water annually,” the release stated.
Low flow toilets and shower heads, portable toilets and leak detection units to prevent water waste have already been installed in many state park facilities.
The department has met the 25 percent water reduction mandated by the Governor, and state parks continue to seek new and improved ways to conserve water before additional restrictions are implemented.