Water Saving Tips

Consider supplementing your irrigation with a rainwater catchment system or greywater. Greywater (also spelled graywater) is untreated water that drains from your clothes washer, bathtub, shower, or bathroom sink. Greywater has low levels of contaminants, but when handled properly, it can be used for nonpotable purposes such as landscape irrigation. More information regarding greywater use can be found here.

Apply 2 - 3 inches of mulch in your garden. Not only will it help prevent weeds but it will retain moisture in the soil.

Current drought restrictions require that you water before 10:00am or after 5pm to reduce evaporation. Drip irrigation systems, soaker hoses and watering cans may be used any time of day. Also avoid watering during windy conditions.

Adjust your watering schedule with the weather and season. Cut your watering times in half during the fall and turn your timer off in the winter and when it rains. If you don't know how to operate your irrigation timer, look for the manual online or manually turn on irrigation valves rather than relying on an automatic timer.

If you mow grasses higher, at 3 or 4 inches, it will reduce water loss and promote healthy roots.

Don't assume your plants need water. Check the soil moisture first using a soil probe or screw driver. Make sure sprinklers are pointed at the plants and water is not running to waste. Use water-efficient irrigation such as drip systems, soaker hoses, or low volume sprinklers such as MP rotators. And be sure to check your sprinkler system for leaks and breaks regularly.

Remove lawn that is not serving a functional purpose and obtain a rebate. Replace your lawn with water-conserving plants which only need periodic watering when established. Before removing ANY lawn, call the Water Conservation Office at 831-420-5230 to set up a pre-approval site visit. They will verify your project meets the rebate requirements, take a measurement, and a photo. Lawn that has already been removed is NOT eligible for a rebate.

In addition to saving water, medications or personal care products such as pills, liquids, or creams, should not be flushed down the toilet or placed in the trash where they contaminate our water supply and are accessible to children or animals.

Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush and are a major source of wasted water in many homes. A Watersense Ultra High Efficiency toilet will use 1 gallon or less per flush. The Water Conservation office will offer a $150 rebate to SCMU customers who install a Watersense Ultra High Efficiency toilet.

Current drought restrictions require that all hoses be equipped with a shut-off nozzle. The Water Conservation office at 212 Locust Street will provide you with free shut-off nozzles.