The San Diego County Water Authority plans to start giving away free seven-quart buckets Friday that residents can use to save water during the drought.
The containers can collect water during showers, while doing dishes or rinsing produce, or used to boil pasta or steam vegetables, according to the water authority. The collected water can then be used to for plants, washing cars or windows, soaking dishes or even flushing toilets, Water Authority officials said.
California residents have been ordered to cut back water use by 25 percent over 2013 levels — the result of a four-year-long drought. Local water agencies were assigned individual cutback targets by state water officials, ranging from 12 percent to 36 percent.
Pails will be given away Friday from 10 a.m. until noon — or while supplies last — at the entrance to the Paul Ecke Jr. Flower & Garden Show at the Del Mar Fair.
The buckets are also available at Water Authority headquarters, 4677 Overland Ave., starting Monday while supplies last.
The agency has an exhibit at the fair that recreates the Alcazar Garden in Balboa Park and demonstrates water conservation, low maintenance and sustainability.
Additional giveaways are being planned through the summer.
