Outdoor

Water Wise Irrigation = Water Conservation

 

Outdoor Water-Saving Tips

Here are some simple tips to help you save water while you make your landscaping healthy and happy!

·   Use a layer of mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
·   Landscape with drought-tolerant trees, plants, and ground covers.
·   Use a low flow nozzle and bucket to wash your car — be sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle.
·   Check your irrigation system and repair any leaks.
·   Stop leaks before they start by disconnecting hoses when not in use.
·   Don’t over-water your landscape, and water early in the morning or at night to avoid excess evaporation.
·   When the driveway or sidewalk needs cleaning, use a broom instead of a hose. It is required under current Monterey Peninsula water restrictions and can save up to 80 gallons of water.

Interested in Water-Wise Gardening?

Check out this interactive program to see many examples of beautiful low water use gardens and landscapes.

CIMIS

MPWMD, in concert with the California Dept of Water Resources, installed the first California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) station on the Monterey Peninsula. It is located just inside the mouth of the Carmel Valley at Palo Corona Regional Park. A CIMIS station collects weather information including temperature, wind speed, and rainfall amounts. It will allow irrigators to more accurately calculate the amount of water a landscape will require on a given day.

Cash for Grass

Rebate is now offered for the removal of turf and replacement with low water use plants. Please see the Rebates page for more information.

Large Landscape Grants

California American Water offers grants designed to encourage schools, parks and cities to upgrade irrigation equipment. Funding is available for items such as weather-sensitive irrigation controllers, rain sensors and high-efficiency sprinkler-heads. Technologies including water budget management systems, weather-based timers and specialized irrigation systems that minimize water loss and maximize efficiency are also eligible for the program. For more information, contact the California American Water conservation department at (831) 646-3205.

Rainwater Harvesting

Do your part to save potable water by installing a Cistern on your property. Rainwater can be collected from your roof and all other hard-scaped surfaces and stored in tank or Cistern. The water can then be used in the dry season to water your lawn or to keep your flowerbed blooming while keeping your water bill low. Rebates are available as well! Please see the Rebates Page for more information.

Rain Sensor Program

Available to qualifying California American Water customers, irrigation rain sensors help you conserve water and save money on your water bill. The sensor automatically signals your irrigation controllers to stop watering when it’s raining and resume watering when needed. Water Wise Consulting Services has been contracted to provide the service with all materials and labor paid by California American Water. If you would like to register for this program or have questions please contact California American Water’s Conservation Department at 831-646-3205. Please have the information regarding your number and type of irrigation controllers ready.

Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping

The Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping program helps residents and businesses transform once-thirsty landscapes into beautiful, healthy, and sustainable landscapes that send less waste to the landfill, conserve water and energy, and manage stormwater as a resource. Funded by the State Water Board, the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping program provides ecological landscape certification standards and incentives for property owners who are leading by example to make sustainable landscapes the ‘new normal’ in our communities.

Certified Monterey Bay Friendly Landscapes are required to meet 10 basic ecological design and maintenance standards that maximize water and energy conservation:

·    Use of mulch and compost

·    Limited functional turf areas

·    Low water using and climate-appropriate plants

·    Plantings appropriately spaced to limit need for pruning

·    No invasive species

·    Irrigated by drip irrigation

·    No sprinklers near sidewalks or driveways

·    Weather based irrigation scheduling

·    Use of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavements

·    Ecological landscape maintenance

For more information on how to participate in the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscape Program, Click Here