California Drought 2015: 5 Tips for Conserving Water During El Niño

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There's no doubt about the intense heat and drought the world has been experiencing these past months, and that's all thanks to the strong El Niño, which may in fact come close to the very strong El Niño the world experienced in 1997, according to CNN.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA said that the El Niño that Californians are currently experiencing is "significant and strengthening". In fact, "there is a greater than 90% chance that El Niño will continue through Northern Hemisphere winter 2015-16, and around an 85% chance it will last into early spring 2016."

NOAA director Mike Halpert told Mercury News, "We are predicting this El Niño could be among the strongest El Niños in the historical record dating back to 1950."

But what can one do to prepare for the onslaught of even drier days ahead?

1. Take advantage of the summer sun and the heat by fixing all the leaks all over the house. In fact, do renovations, repainting, and restructuring now, while there are no rains and no snow. Summer is the best time to get fixing, as there will be more hands available to help around the house, with the kids out of school. Check for leaks in every facility that involves water and pipes and get it fixed asap.

2. Turn that faucet off while doing the dishes or brushing teeth. One can use a cup or glass when brushing, to limit water consumption.

3. Maximize dishwasher and washing machine load to save water.

4. Instead of thawing out frozen meats by running it through water, use the microwave instead, or bring it out of the freezer earlier.

5. Opt for plants that are tolerant to heat and do not require too much water. Water plants or the yard early in the morning, when the temperature isn't so hot that the water will evaporate before the plants can absorb it.

According to Mercury News, the El Niño storms play a big role in delivering a Sierra snowpack, which is a giant bank of water that provides a portion of California's water supply.

California state hydrologist Maurice Roos said, "We want the snowpack for sure. The water comes off in a much more controlled fashion. It does more good to come off gradually. It feeds the mountain streams, it has a longer duration of flow, which is good for fisheries, and it helps recharge the groundwater."

In case things heat up even more towards the end of the year, make sure everyone's aware of water-saving practices within the home. Engage kids in these practices and ask the school if they are taking steps to raise awareness about water conservation as well.