Water Wise
Water Wells have historically provided the majority of the drinking water for the City of
Modesto and the surrounding communities we serve. They are artificially excavated and water is derived from the
ground it penetrates. Usually a shaft is conducted to drain water from the water source.
Ground Water is a secondary source The City of Modesto relies on to serve the community.
The water is detained in interconnected pores which are located below the water table in an aquifer.
Surface Water is used by the City of Modesto in conjunction with MID. It is natural flowing
water on top of the surface. It is usually derived from reservoirs, rivers, and dams. State of the art
treatment facilities, provided by the Modesto Regional Water Treatment Plant, ensure the surface water meets State
and Federal standards for drinking and water quality.
During the summer months both well and surface water are needed to meet the water demands for the City of Modesto.
If you live North of Tuolumne River surface and ground water are used. Areas South of the Tuolumne River are served
by groundwater wells through out the year. Areas East of Modesto uses the highest percentage of surface water through
out the year. Surface water is distributed from reservoirs near Johansen High School.
Conserve water to ensure a safe, adequate, and affordable supply for the future
Preserve water quality by being responsible when using chemicals and the disposing of them.
Did You Know
- Water is the most valuable resource and life cannot exist with out it. 60% of the human body is composed
of water.
- Water is recycled in the Hydrologic Cycle of evaporation and precipitation.
- 75% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. 97% of it is salt water and 3% is fresh water.
- 75% of fresh water is stored in polar ice caps, 25% is groundwater, and 1/3 of 1% is surface water.
- As the population continues to grow the demand for water increases, however the water supply
remains the same.
- California leads the nation in water use, water well supplies, and land irrigation.
- Ground water is replenished from surface water. The water percolates through the soil’s top layers and
then down to the water table.
- Proper use & disposal of chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides, paints, solvents, gasoline, oil,
detergents, and other household products will protect our future water supply.
- The average person uses 80 gallons of water per day inside their home.
- A leaking faucet dripping 1 drop per second will waste 2,400 gallons per year.
- In an average home, 42% of the water is used for flushing toilets, washing clothes, dishwasher,
etc…and 58% is used for outside landscaping.
- In an average home, 30% of indoor water use is from toilet flushing. 20% of toilets leak.
- Leaking toilets can waste an average of 22 gallons a day or nearly 8,030 gallons a year.
- Leaving the hose running, over watering, washing down sidewalks, and other wasteful activities can cost
millions of gallons of water per year.
- Proper landscaping & Xeriscape techniques can greatly reduce your outside water usage and may improve
the appearance of your yard.
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