California continues to be in a state of drought, and if you have driven out by Lake Casitas lately, you know just how close to home this drought is hitting. Most of us have taken steps to reduce our water consumption, and nearly all Californians are living under mandatory water restrictions. For example, as of July 1, 2016, Casitas Municipal Water District customers can only water outdoors on Saturdays before 10:00am or after 6:00pm, and customer allocations were reduced by 10%. It is imperative that we continue our water conservation efforts and that we all look for more ways we can reduce the amount of water we use inside and outside of our homes. To help you determine how you can save more water in your everyday life, here are 10 things you can do to conserve water: 1. Save Your Cooking Water Water used for cooking vegetables or grains can be saved, allowed to cool, and then used for other purposes. Two of the best ways to reuse cooking water is to fill your toilet tank or water trees or a vegetable garden. 2. Replace Your Shower Head If you haven't changed out your shower head since the early 1990s, it is definitely time for a new one. Older shower heads use about three times as much water as newer versions, so this is an easy way to immediately reduce the amount of water you use. Even if your shower head is post-1992, the newest models are likely more efficient than what you are currently using. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends choosing a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute. If you are a Casitas Municipal Water District customer, contact them to see about getting a free low-flow shower head as part of their water conservation project. 3. Invest in Rain Barrels Rain barrels come in a variety of styles and are widely available locally and online. While you may shell out a bit more for the perfect barrel to match your home's architectural style, you can easily find basic rain barrels for less than $100. Plus, you may be eligible for a rebate through the Ventura County Rain Barrel Program. You can opt for just one rain barrel, but you might be surprised at just how quickly they fill up. This means that you will probably want more than one, so you may want to purchase them at the same time to make sure they match. You can use your harvested rain water to irrigate ornamental landscaping to conserve water and lower your water bill. 4. Stop Brushing Your Teeth in the Shower Several years ago, we somehow got on the trend of brushing our teeth in the shower as a way to save water. Since you need no water to brush your teeth until it's time to rinse your tooth brush and rinse out your mouth, it is actually better to brush your teeth outside of the shower. Brushing them in the shower just prolongs your time in there, which means using more water. 5. Shorten Your Shower While we are on the topic of bathing, we might as well mention an oldie but goodie. Shortening your shower by just a few minutes is one of the easiest steps you can take to conserve water in your home. You might be able to do this by shaving your legs every other day instead of every day or by washing your hair fewer times per week. 6. Install a Gray Water System Gray water systems allow us to reclaim water we use in our homes to reuse for irrigation purposes. They are most often used to reclaim water used in washing machines. Water recaptured in this manner is best used for ornamental landscaping and should not be used to irrigate plants grown for food. Depending on the type of gray water system you choose to install, you may need a permit. If you are working with a contractor, they can handle this process for you. If you are thinking about making this a do-it-yourself project, contact Building & Safety at the County of Ventura to see if a permit is necessary. You can see a gray water system model at the Ojai Valley Green Coalition's resource center, which is located at 206 N. Signal Street, Suite S and is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5:00pm. 7. Reclaim Water Without a Gray Water System You don't have to install a gray water system to reclaim some of the water you and your family use. With a few buckets and bowls, you can capture water used while showering, washing your hands or cleaning produce. Again, it is best to use reclaimed water to irrigate ornamental landscaping. If you want to use this water on plants grown for food, be sure to only use non-toxic, all-natural or organic shampoos, conditioners and soaps. 8. Fix Leaks Quickly According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a one-drip-per-second leak can waste 1,661 gallons of water in one year. Check your sinks, bath tubs, shower heads, toilets and outdoor faucets for leaks, and fix them right away to conserve water and save money. 9. Go Meatless Once a Week You can save hundreds of gallons of water every year just by refraining from eating meat one day each week. If you also skip dairy once a week, you can save even more water. 10. Use Your Dishwasher Wisely You can save more than 10 gallons of water per load if you wash a full load of dishes in your dishwasher, rather than by hand. If you have an Energy Star dishwasher (which you should), you can expect to save even more water. Large items, such as pots and pans should be washed by hand so that you do not take up space in your dishwasher that could be better filled with several small items. What is your favorite way to save water in your everyday life? Let us know in the comments below! AimeeJo Davis-Varela is the marketing director for The Davis Group and a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living and travel writing.
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Enjoy the tranquility of country living... This secluded California Spanish estate is hidden away at the end of a private driveway on a 10+/- acre, turnkey avocado ranch. An exquisite courtyard greets guests with amazing mountain and valley views. Interior features include a fireplace, formal dining room, remodeled country kitchen, media room or third bedroom, adobe-style walls, wood and Mexican tile floors, and vaulted, wood-beam ceilings. French doors in the master suite, living room and dining room lead to just three of the well-designed outdoor living and entertaining areas. Enjoy mountain and valley views... A newer pool and spa, ample guest parking, and one-bedroom, one bathroom guest house make entertaining short- and long-term guests easy. The master suite features travertine and marble, dual sinks, an oval soaking tub, a large terrace overlooking the ranch, three closets, a wood floor and fantastic views. Low-water landscaping, room for horses and the managed avocado orchard make this home an ideal choice as a tranquil country retreat for second home. Ojai Horse Property & Avocado Ranch Info You can learn more about this Ojai ranch for sale by visiting the property information page or calling Nora Davis. If you could like to schedule a private tour for you or your clients, contact us today.
The price on this country retreat has just been reduced to $1,849,000! This Montecito-style estate is on a remarkable, versatile, 20+ acre country retreat in bucolic Upper Ojai. The approximately 6,250-square-foot main home with four fireplaces and upgrades throughout is a luxurious retreat among the many amenities this property offers. Inside the home, you will find a grand entry with an atrium and a gallery, a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances and a coffee bar, a travertine wet bar, wood and limestone floors, flex rooms, a media room and high-end finishes. Outside, you will find nearly 4,000 square feet of covered outdoor living space including an outdoor kitchen with granite counter, dining room, family room, outdoor fireplace and wrap-around slate patio. Beyond this, there are well-manicured, large lawns, mature landscaping, and irrigated, fenced pastures. The guest house is near the main home, while the offices, workshops and barns are easy to access but satisfactorily separate from the main residence. Upper Ojai Open House Details... Date: Saturday, July 2
Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 12147 Old Walnut Road Just 10 miles from the beach, 35 miles from Santa Barbara and 95 miles from Burbank, this centrally located Ojai horse property offers an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy upscale country living with a turnkey, established equestrian center that has ranked among the top five in Southern California. From the custom home with five bedrooms, five bathrooms and three river rock fireplaces, a five-minute drive on a gently curving country road delivers you to the boutique shopping, arts and culture, and fine and casual dining in Ojai’s downtown village area. Features Include: Approximately 5,000-square-foot luxury home Marc Whitman design Five bedrooms, five bathrooms Three river rock fireplaces Media room Game room with wet bar Family room Office Formal and casual dining Gourmet kitchen with large island Cedar ceilings with exposed beams Three air conditioning units Gated entry River rock entry with fountain River rock patios and walkways Swimming pool and hot tub Built-in barbecue grill Slate tile roof Redwood siding Garden area Main Barn: 60 12'x12' stalls with mats Two 16-foot breezeways 20 covered 12'x24' paddocks Indoor Wash racks Tack rooms Automatic lighting and fly control system Barn office Treadmill Additional Equestrian Facilities: 320'x120' main arena Cutting pen Round pen Jumping/Dressage arena Pole barn feed storage Three-stall mare motel Six pastures with shelters Caretaker's quarters Large parking area for guests and horse trailers Ojai Horse Ranch Open House Details: Dates: Saturday and Sunday (June 25 & 26)
Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 10901 Creek Road Read more here. If you are looking at Upper Ojai homes for sale for the tranquility and country lifestyle they offer, you will not want to miss this ranch-style home on 42+ acres just a few minutes down the road. In fact, it is only about three minutes from The Summit restaurant and Stage Coach Station market, and about 15 minutes from downtown Ojai. Since it is on the Santa Paula side of Ojai Santa Paula Road, it is also only about 10 minutes from Highway 126, which means it is just about 70 minutes (about 60 miles) to Burbank. Upper Ojai - Santa Paula Open House Details: Date: Sunday, June 26
Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 15301 Ojai Road Features Include: Approximately 6,250-square-foot main home Grand entry with atrium and gallery Four fireplaces Gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances & coffee bar Travertine wet bar Wood, limestone and Jerusalem stone floors First-floor master wing Two vanities in elegant master bathroom Separate guest wing with 2 bedrooms and bathroom Media room Office Flex room (currently used as a gym) Upgrades throughout High-end finishes Nearly 4,000 square feet of covered outdoor living Outdoor kitchen Outdoor fireplace Wrap-around slate patio 20+ acres 360-degree mountain views Two security gates Three-car garage for main home Three-car carport for main home Ample guest parking RV parking One bedroom, 1 bath guest house with 2-car garage Three versatile barns with offices and workshops Fenced, irrigated pastures Vinyl fencing Fenced pet yard Large, well-manicured lawns Mature landscaping 80gpm well Near hiking and riding trails Short drive to Ojai Approximately 80 minutes from Burbank Ojai Open House Details Date: Saturday, June 18 Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 12147 Old Walnut Road In the meantime, you can see more photos and read more about this unique Ojai horse ranch for sale by visiting the property information page. Enjoy comfortable country living in this quaint home or while you build your luxury estate and transform the current home into a guest house. A gated entry opens to a courtyard-style yard with mature landscaping, trees and a flagstone patio. A covered porch leads into the single-story home with a wood-burning stove, remodeled country kitchen, granite counters, and formal and casual dining. Just under four acres surrounds the house with multiple outdoor entertaining areas, separate office or artist's studio, chicken coop, hay or equipment barn with a workshop area, storage sheds, corral, dog run, the well house and plenty of space to customize to suit your lifestyle. An additional 39.19 acres of open space is located across the way -- ideal for keeping your ag business and your living area separate or to use for pastures, hiking or just enjoying nature. All this is just about three minutes from Stage Coach Station and The Summit, about 15 minutes from downtown Ojai and just about 10 minutes from Highway 126. Upper Ojai - Santa Paula Open House Details:
Date: Sunday, June 12 Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 15301 Ojai Road This Montecito-style estate is on a remarkable, versatile, 20+ acre country retreat in bucolic Upper Ojai. The approximately 6,250-square-foot main home with four fireplaces and upgrades throughout is a luxurious retreat among the many amenities this property offers. Inside the home, you will find a grand entry with an atrium and a gallery, a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances and a coffee bar, a travertine wet bar, wood and limestone floors, flex rooms, a media room and high-end finishes. Outside, you will find nearly 4,000 square feet of covered outdoor living space including an outdoor kitchen with granite counter, dining room, family room, outdoor fireplace and wrap-around slate patio. Beyond this, there are well-manicured, large lawns, mature landscaping, and irrigated, fenced pastures. The guest house is near the main home, while the offices, workshops and barns are easy to access but satisfactorily separate from the main residence. Open House Details:
Date: Sunday, June 12 Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Location: 12147 Old Walnut Road Main House: Two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms Approximately 2,200 square feet En suite bathrooms in each bedroom Wood, Mexican tile and travertine floors Fireplace with tile hearth Vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings Viking range and microwave Guest House: One bedroom, one bathroom Office and living room Coffee bar with sink Rustic pine walls and ceiling Travertine floor and shower in bathroom Approximately 10.39 acres
Turnkey avocado orchard set up for absentee owner Swimming pool and hot tub Low-water landscaping Multiple well-designed outdoor living areas Terrace off of master bedroom Flagstone walkways Large courtyard Fruit trees Garden area Dog run Amazing mountain and valley views Near hiking trails Minutes from downtown Ojai Approximately 75 miles to Burbank Stop by Rancho Fino this Saturday between 1:00 and 4:00 to view this elegant equestrian estate! Ojai Horse Property Open House Details: Date: Saturday, May 28 Time: 1:00 to 4:00 Location: 12147 Old Walnut Road (Upper Ojai) Approximately 6,250-square-foot main home Grand entry with atrium and gallery Four fireplaces Gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances & coffee bar Travertine wet bar Wood, limestone and Jerusalem stone floors First-floor master wing Two vanities in elegant master bathroom Separate guest wing with 2 bedrooms and bathroom Media room Office Flex room (currently used as a gym) Upgrades throughout High-end finishes Nearly 4,000 square feet of covered outdoor living Outdoor kitchen Outdoor fireplace Wrap-around slate patio Learn more on the property information page, or stop by Saturday to see this Montecito-style estate in person.
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