The showers no longer work at San Diego state run beaches.
"The shower is off because we are in an extreme drought," said Cory Hawkins with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. "We're trying to hit our 25 percent conservation limit."
So starting July 15, free beach showers across the state have been turned off. That leaves beach goers with the choice of going home sticky and sandy or bringing their own water.
Doug D'Amico of Encinitas made his owner portable shower using an R.V. pump and tubing he bought at Home Depot. It includes a three-gallon bucket he fills with water and a pump he plugs into his car's lighter.
"With three gallons of water, you get a good five minutes of rinse which is adequate," said D'Amico. The North County surfer said the shower cost him around $115 to make.
But there are commercially made portable showers available. RinseKit is a Carlsbad company that works with your hose to both fill and pressurize their shower system. It costs about $90.
"We've definitely seen an uptick in people being interested in solutions like this," said Jake Swan with RinseKit. He said the portable system actually encourages people to use less water.
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"When you are controlling your spray handle, you are controlling how much water you are going to use," said Swan, "verses your state beach showers where you just turn them on three or four times."
Other portable showers include the Big Kahuna Portable Shower and the Helio Portable Shower, which sell for between $60 and $170.
Cory Hawkins said whether you use a bottle, a bucket or a portable shower, people will be more aware of their water use.
"I think a lot of people are going to take responsibility for the personal water they are using," said Hawkins. "And it's just one extra step thinking ahead of time before you leave for the day."
