Together with elected officials and transportation and water-district leaders, last month OCTA launched a multi-agency water conservation campaign in Orange County with the message “Every Drop Counts -- Join Us in Saving Water.”
Other public agencies participating in the campaign include Caltrans, the County of Orange, Irvine Ranch Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Transportation Corridor Agencies.
OCTA is raising awareness and addressing California’s severe drought by sharing the “Every Drop Counts” message several ways. The conservation message has been placed on two wrapped OCTA buses traveling throughout Orange County and on window clings distributed at public events. In addition, OCTA is sharing this message with the media and on Facebook and Twitter pages.
Internally, OCTA has embraced the message that every drop counts for many years. The agency has cut back by 21 percent on its water usage by washing buses less frequently, installing drought-resistant landscaping and installing low-flow faucets and toilets at all bases and transit centers.
Prior to 2005, OCTA washed its buses daily. That year, the number was cut to three times a week and was further cut to twice a week. In addition, a treatment system was installed to reclaim and filter the water for reuse, saving about 30 gallons each wash.
Low-water vegetation and artificial turf will continue to be planted when possible and low-flow toilets and faucets will continue to replace the older models on OCTA’s properties.