California residents employ many means to conserve water

Well problems in one small community bordering the Sierra National Forest in Northern California are forcing residents to take water conservation seriously.

The Fresno Bee reports the water district has one well that is contaminated with radiation-type elements from the granite. A second is not producing because of lack of rain. The wells are in granite rock formations, which have fissures where water is stored. It can be drawn up by a well, but the fissures offer no long-term guarantees, the newspaper reported.

Residents monitor a community whiteboard, where a water operator posts the percentage of water remaining in the community tanks. One woman has water trucked in to maintain her landscaping. Vehicles are washed with bath water. Toilets are flushed only when necessary.

Next week, county supervisors are expected to impose even stricter water restrictions on homes.