EDITORIAL:

It’s no secret that California is facing a water crisis.

Environmentalists have been warning the public for years, and now public policy makers are beginning to pay attention. Fountain Valley is looking to boost water prices because the city needs the money to maintain its water system.

The Huntington Beach Public Works Department is cutting down on its watering, a move that will save more than $87,000 each year. Last week Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a 20-year, $1.5 billion water supply strategy. The plan includes steps to conserve water now and invest in water-efficient technology for the long-run.

Huntington Beach, Los Angeles and other cities across the country are doing exactly what they should be doing: setting examples for residents to follow. Now it’s your turn.

Water is just like electricity. It costs money, whether it is used wisely or not. Only with water, using it unwisely will also cost us in the long-run, as resources become less available.

California faces a complex set of problems that threatens its water supply, from aging infrastructure to population growth to climate change. In 2007, the Sierra snowpack was the lowest in nearly 20 years, while Southern California logged its driest year on record, according to www.calwatercrisis.org.

“Climate change ... is raising new uncertainties for the state’s weather patterns, with longer periods of drought and other changes expected to significantly alter the state’s water supply picture,” according to the site.

Maybe you already take steps to reduce your use of water. If so, keep up the good work and educate others about how they too can conserve water. Send neighbors, family members and friends links to sites like www.wateruseitwisely.com, which list ways to save water indoors and outdoors.

Maybe you have heard all the warning signs but haven’t been compelled to change any of your daily habits because it all seems so complicated. Good news: Saving water is easy. It’s as simple as:

 Dropping that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it

 Using a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks

 Making sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.

 If you accidentally drop ice when filling your glass from the freezer, don’t throw them away. Drop them in a house plant instead.

Small steps like these make a huge difference.

And if you view each water encounter as an opportunity to help the environment, you will likely come up with your own water-saving tips.

We encourage you to start helping the environment and your wallet today. Better yet, e-mail your most creative conservation techniques to hbindy@latimes.com.