Water Efficiency magazine features an article about greywater and conservation - Open article here.

Water-Smart Gardening saves water

A water-smart garden includes these elements (taken from the water-smart garden contest criteria)

1. Plants that thrive with minimal supplementary water, e.g., California native plants, Mediterranean plants, and succulents. Stay away from invasive species though.
2. The use of mulches or groundcover to minimize water loss due to evaporation.
3. An irrigation system that uses drip emitters, micro-sprayers, weather based irrigation controllers, and other water efficient irrigation components. Rainwater catchment could be a feature of the irrigation system.
4. The use of ground covers and lawn alternatives, rather than conventional turf lawns that use a lot of water. Some examples could be synthetic turf or low water use grasses.
5. Plants that are grouped together according to their water needs. Plantings that are appropriate for the microclimate of the garden.

See our page about water-smart landscaping and rebates to encourage saving water in the garden.

Replace high water-use lawns with water-wise grasses

Replace existing high water use lawn with low-water use grass or plants and receive $2 per square foot of turf replaced and lots of water. Pre and post installation surveys are required to qualify for this rebate. Call 831-475-8501 ext. 146 to schedule a site visit.

For rebate details click here. 

list of low water use grasses
Click here for a list of common water-wise grasses that work well to replace turf grass.

how much water will i save?
Typical grass or lawn uses about 27 gallons per square foot per year in this region.  A water-wise grass needs only about 25% or less of typical grass, once they are established.  Some of the low-water grasses require no irrigation once they are established.  A normal 500 square foot lawn that is replaced with a water-wise grass or plants can expect to save at least 8,000 gallons per year.  Water-wise grasses also usually require less maintenance and chemical application (i.e., fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). For grass planting tips, click here.

additional questions?
Call the District’s Water Conservation Manager (Ron Duncan) at 831 475-8501 ext. 144. You can also e-mail your questions: click here