WaterSmart Living Archives

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Padre Dam MWD Launches New Podcast

September 11, 2024/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan Beane

The Water Drop Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is making a splash with their new podcast, “The Water Drop”. The Water Authority member agency kicked off the new project in March, featuring Padre Dam staff as well as outside experts discussing an array of industry topics including sustainability, trends and the future of all things water.

“We are committed to delivering innovative ways to inform and educate our customers,” said Padre Dam CEO/General Manager, Kyle Swanson. “As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, this is an opportunity to provide valuable, on-the-go information to the community we serve and other interested stakeholders.”

In the debut episode, Water: A Finite Resource, Swanson discusses the district’s largest infrastructure project to date, the East County Advanced Water Purification Program which will purify recycled water to produce up to 30 percent of East County’s current drinking water demands. He also touches on some of the biggest challenges the water industry faces today.

The second episode, It’s Not Wastewater Coming Straight to Your Tap, features the Director of the East County AWP Program, Mark Niemiec. He goes into detail on how the water reuse project works, the driving factors behind it and benefits of the project. He also answers some social media questions about the program. Padre Dam joins a handful of other water agencies in California that have a podcast.

Subsequent episodes have highlighted protecting wildlife at construction sites with biologist Katie Duffield of Helix Environmental Planning and the summer season at Santee Lakes with Cory Kading, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Topics like conservation rebates for customers and job opportunities working in water will be spotlighted in upcoming episodes.

This exciting podcast will keep you educated and up to speed on what’s happening in the world of water within the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. You can tune in via Apple Podcasts and Spotify for updates from “The Water Drop.”

Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham speaks at the Dec. 13 signing ceremony in Las Vegas, supporting a set of agreements to sustain the Colorado River and save money for San Diego County water ratepayers. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority historic agreement

Water Authority GM Profiled in “Municipal Water Leader” Magazine

September 10, 2024/in Media Coverage, San Diego County, WaterSmart Living /by Jordan Beane

A familiar face was featured on the cover of the October edition of Municipal Water Leader magazine: Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. In a wide-ranging interview with former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, Denham discussed his background, the relationships between the Water Authority and other agencies, major challenges facing the water sector and more.

Below are some of the highlights from this extensive conversation. To read the entire interview, which starts on Page 6, click here.

Cover of the October edition of “Municipal Water Leaders” profiling SDCWA General Manager Dan Denham.

What are the biggest challenges facing SDCWA right now?

Climate change whiplash. We’ve had an unprecedented 2 consecutive wet years in Southern California, and while that was wonderful, it also created financial havoc, because water sales and revenues plummeted far below projections. Like most water agencies, we have high fixed expenses, but our revenues remain highly variable. This year, that combination of factors created unprecedented fiscal challenges.

The era of major construction is finished for us, but over the past 20 years, we built water supply projects to prepare for a dry future. I’m positive that droughts will be back, and the public will expect us to be ready for that, since it paid for those investments. In fact, the state is now saying that State Water Project (SWP) supplies could crash over the next 20 years.

So, it’s a matter of trying to right-size the water supply for our current demands while remaining prepared for the future and getting some costs off our books to make water more affordable for our rate payers.

Less than 10 years ago, we were all extremely concerned with reliability, drought cutbacks, and mandatory rationing. Between your transfers and your desal plant, you’ve brought an incredibly high degree of reliability to the region. The challenge today seems to be managing the fiscal concerns in a world of dropping demand and rising costs.

I gave a presentation recently at the Council of Water Utilities in San Diego County. One of the open questions that I threw out to the group was exactly what you just described. In planning for dry years, SDCWA never wanted to see a curtailment of water, whether because of a state mandate or through our wholesaler, Metropolitan, so we built and spent accordingly. The cost of all of that is now catching up with us. The open questions to the group were, Is 100 percent reliability still what this region wants and needs? What kind of insurance policy do you want? Do you want a lower deductible? What is your comfort level as a region? I don’t have the answer to those questions. I don’t know whether our policymakers and decisionmakers have thought those through yet. But that’s a discussion we need to have.

There’s been interest within the Colorado River basin and in Southern California in taking parts of the portfolio, whether that’s the desalinated water or conserved water from the Imperial Valley and transferring some use to another agency or even another region. Shipping off your 100 percent reliable supplies exposes you to some extra risk while at the same time providing a financial benefit. Again, for this generation and the future, we have to settle the question about the level of water supply reliability we want and can afford.

What is your vision for the future?

This industry, this space, is really challenging, but it’s still fun. I really enjoy being part of it, helping lay out the future of water in the West. I’m excited about the prospects for San Diego. When you’re willing to think differently and change the way that you’ve been doing things for the past 20 or 30 years, that’s exciting. I’m glad to be part of it. I hope I still have many years ahead in this space. If this is the springboard for it, I’m all in.

John Allen and Bob Whiting enjoy their beautiful Vista yard, the winner of the 2024 Vallecitos WaterSmart Landscape Design content. Photo: Vallecitos Water DIstrict diverse design

Diverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner

August 26, 2024/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age.

It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, cacti, and aloes. The result is the Vallecitos Water District’s 2024 Landscape Contest Makeover winner.

“It is truly rewarding to witness customers exploring unique water-wise plants and deriving genuine joy from the experience,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. “At every turn in John’s yard, there lies a beautiful surprise – rare plants that not only provide a glimpse into our botanical history but also support our local wildlife. The diversity of interest that can be added to one’s yard with unique water-wise plants far exceeds that of turf grass, and John’s garden serves as an exceptional example of this.”

John Allen’s yard prior to its landscape design makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“I believe in water conservation, without a doubt,” said Allen. “I realize that Southern California has a limited supply of water and ever-increasing population. I don’t know how my usage compares with other customers, but I think it’s fairly low, considering it’s one acre.”

Take a video tour through Allen’s garden.

Learning Through Doing

Allen says the expansive garden is his first project. He approached it with a “learn by doing” effort. This included installing a drip irrigation system, which he says he found to be efficient and easy to manage.

“The drip system, it really minimizes the water and puts it right to the plants where you need the water, instead of just wasting it on unused areas,” explained Allen. “You make some mistakes here and there, but you can fix it, usually with the drip system, pretty easy.”

Allen’s landscaping features a tremendous diversity in its plant life, which attracts a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, hawks, hummingbirds, and roadrunners. He says visitors also enjoy the different types of plants, many of which they have never seen before.

“They really find it interesting, and especially when the cactus bloom in the springtime, it’s really interesting … I guess it is close to a small botanic garden,” said Allen.

John Allen’s yard features a wide array of low-water-use plants in its diverse design, including cycads, cacti, and aloes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

A Peaceful Landscape Retreat

Allen also enjoys the diverse landscape and views his hobby as a peaceful retreat.

“It’s really nice to sit down and sit back at the end of the day after your work and enjoy what you’ve done, watch things grow.” Allen says pursuing his interest is one of his best decisions.

“I’ve collected a lot of plants along the way, raised plants from seeds, sold plants on the side. It’s so peaceful and quiet. I couldn’t wish for anything better,” said Allen.

Tijuana Water Deliveries, Explained

August 13, 2024/in Features, News, WaterSmart Living, WNN /by Jordan Beane

Over the last few weeks, several stories have come out about water deliveries being made to the city of Tijuana. Here’s some of the basics behind this unique international agreement.

Whose water is it? Mexico’s. Water delivered through the Emergency Deliveries Agreement is a portion of the Colorado River supplies allotted to Mexico under the 1944 Treaty.

Where does it come from? Under normal conditions, Tijuana’s supply of Colorado River is diverted from the Morelos Dam, about 1 mile downstream of the California and Baja California boundary, south of Yuma, Ariz. Water is transported west through the Alamo Canal to Mexicali, and then through the Tijuana Aqueduct to Tijuana, for a total of about 150 miles.

Under emergency conditions, Mexico’s Colorado River supply to Tijuana is diverted at Lake Havasu and transported through Metropolitan’s 242-mile Colorado River Aqueduct before being conveyed through MWD, Water Authority and Otay Water District distribution systems.

Daytime papel picado framed view of the iconic landmark arch of downtown Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

When did deliveries start? The Agreement was signed in 1972, and several amendments (minutes) were signed since then that document the authorization of emergency deliveries to Mexico. Delivery volumes have varied from 0 to nearly 10,000 acre-feet per year; the maximum annual delivery volume, per the agreement, is 14,400 acre-feet.

Emergency deliveries occurred throughout the 1970s and stopped from 1981-2002. Deliveries started up again from 2003-2012, with another hiatus from 2013- 2017. Most recently, Mexico has requested emergency deliveries every year from 2018 -2024, except for 2021.

How many agencies are involved? A number of agencies from the federal, state, local and Mexico governments are involved. On the U.S. side, this includes the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, San Diego County Water Authority and Otay Water District. South of the border, the National Water Commission, Mexico’s International Boundary and Water Commission, State Public Utility Commission of Tijuana (CESPT) and other agencies are involved.

What does the current agreement include? The current agreement, which expires in 2027, includes procedures and schedules for annual emergency delivery requests, capacity determination by the California Agencies, base cost of deliveries calculation and fund balance requirements.

With each annual request by Mexico, the California Agencies must agree to deliver the requested delivery volumes based on available capacity within their respective systems. Additionally, funds must be provided by Mexico in advance of water deliveries.

The Fairways HOA landscape makeover in Lake San Marcos retains some turf mixed with low-water use plants for substantial water savings. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Increased Turf Rebate Means More Cash for Less Grass

August 7, 2024/in WaterSmart Living /by Jordan Beane

For residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity to get rid of your grass is too good to pass up right now.

That’s thanks to a grant program through the California Department of Water Resources, which updated its rebate rates for commercial and residential turf removal. That includes an increase from $2 per square foot to $3 per square foot. Properties in the unincorporated area of San Diego are eligible to receive an additional $1 per square foot funded by the County’s Waterscape Rebate Program.

Dry riverbed areas were established in place of existing turf, graded to capture water runoff into these areas. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Grass must be living until the application is approved. That means no dead lawns, dirt landscapes, or projects already in progress. Additionally synthetic turf grass is not allowed to be installed through this program.

Applicants must plant a minimum of three plants or one tree per 100 square feet and those trees must be 15 gallons or larger. For those individuals looking to plant more, a $100 tree rebate is also available for up to 5 trees per project when requested as part of a turf rebate application. For additional information about this exciting rebate program, please visit SoCalWaterSmart.com.

To help select the right climate appropriate plants for your new landscape, check out San Diego County Water Authority’s updated Nifty 50 plant list.

Chula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s commitment to outdoor water use efficiency without sacrificing a beautiful lush landscape is the 2024 Otay Water District Landscape Makeover winner. Photo: Otay Water District landscape design

Lush Landscape Design Wins 2024 Otay Water District Makeover Contest

August 1, 2024/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

Chula Vista resident Shannon Nembach’s Italian-inspired landscaping proves that a waterwise landscape doesn’t need to be restricted to gravel and cacti. Neimbach’s makeover received the “Best In District” first-place award in the Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

Her garden is in the Otay Water District’s division 4, represented by Board President Jose Lopez.

Shannon Nembach put in 22 years of work and education to get her winning results. Photo: Otay Water District

“Otay Water District is proud to recognize Shannon Nembach for demonstrating a true commitment to outdoor water-use efficiency for more than two decades,” said Lopez. “Her efforts will continue to pay off as our region continues to transition into making WaterSmart landscaping a way of life.”

The District recognized Nembach at its August board meeting, awarding her a certificate of recognition, a gift certificate to a local nursery of her choice, a yard sign, and other promotional items.

A look at the backyard before its makeover. Photo: Otay Water District

Italian Style Inspiration

Nembach transformed her outdoor space into a lush garden with pea-gravel walkways, an inviting outdoor dining area, and low-water-use features that attract native wildlife to her Chula Vista home.

Nembach purchased the home new in 2002. There was no original landscaping, so she took advantage of the opportunity to build a beautiful, functional garden that could withstand climate change and periods of drought, inspired by her trips to Italy.

Shannon Nembach first began working on her side yard. Photo: Otay Water District

Over the past 22 years, Nembach says she used a self-directed learning approach to tailor her landscaping design efforts to her family’s specific needs and preferences. She began by expanding her side yard to part of the front to make room for a courtyard. She hired a contractor to install a retaining wall and concrete patio with an entry gate and outdoor fireplace.

The well-maintained front yard features a small riverbed and bright green water-wise plants that bloom throughout. Past the entry gate, a large canopy wraps around a long dining table near the fireplace where she regularly hosts outdoor family dinners.

The family enjoys outdoor entertaining with seating near a fireplace. Photo: Otay Water District

“I particularly enjoy the way our WaterSmart yard attracts native wildlife, creating a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem,” said Nembach. “It also provides a perfect setting for entertaining family and friends, offering a beautiful and serene backdrop for gatherings and outdoor activities.”

The backyard once included a small patch of grass for her children to play in when they were younger.

Today, raised planters near a sitting area replace the grass where Nembach grows vegetables. A cascade waterfall encompasses a sloped hill with a pond at the bottom. Low-water-use shrubs, such as Japanese Boxwood, add color throughout the yard.

Low water use plants add color throughout the landscaping. Photo: Otay Water District

Self-Taught Landscape Design

Nembach is a retired high school teacher who is self-taught in landscape design. She credits her mother, an avid gardener, with teaching her the tips and tricks of gardening. She also gained a wealth of knowledge by spending time in plant nurseries and reading Sunset Magazine and gardening books.

Shannon Nembach says she has never missed not having any grass. Photo: Otay Water District

“We have never used a gardener. My husband and I planted everything except for two trees on our hill, including wheelbarrowing 7.5 yards of pea gravel into the front courtyard to build the free-standing patio and the waterfall and pond in the backyard,” said Nembach. “The pond has provided a constant water source for all the local wildlife for over 20 years.”

“I would recommend others to upgrade their yards. I’ve never missed having grass, which I associate with high maintenance, frequent mowing, fertilizing, weed control, and excessive water use,” she said. “Instead, our drought-tolerant landscape is not only low maintenance, but also beautiful, lush, and inviting. It is practical and attractive.”

Reducing Water Use

Shannon Nembach recommends homeowners consider waterwise landscape plans of their own. Photo: Otay Water District

Nembach’s requires minimal trimming and weeding. Rainwater provides enough water during winter and spring to leave the irrigation system off. Mulching every year helps retain moisture and keeps the weeds to a minimum.

Her water-saving installations have contributed to a 42% decrease in the family’s total water usage when comparing the initial 11-year period in their household to the subsequent 11 years.

“Using water wisely has always been important to me, especially after hearing in the nineties that California’s water consumption was unsustainable,” said Nembach. “When we moved into our home in 2002, I was determined to create a landscape that could endure drought conditions and support long-term water conservation efforts.”

The McCarters' backyard landscaping after its low-water-use makeover. Photo: Vista Irrigation District landscape design

Vista Irrigation District Selects 2024 Landscape Contest Winner

July 29, 2024/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its July meeting.

McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate, with a majority of the yard unplanted.

The McCarters’ backyard landscaping prior to its makeover. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Working together as a team, they began to transform their yard. Alice took charge of creating a new layout for their garden.

The McCarters’ landscape project was a labor of love. They began filling in their yard with planted areas, artfully combining succulent varieties including aloes, aeoniums, euphorbias, agaves, and various groundcovers.

Unique planter bed highlights landscape design

Rocks, decorative wood, artwork, and even a raised planter “bed” with its own headboard are included in the landscaping among the plants.

Decomposed granite pathways wind through their garden, allowing the couple to move about freely and enjoy their creation.

Rain barrels help supplement the irrigation system. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Irrigation comes from a drip system, supplemented by water collected in four rain barrels installed during the landscape project. The couple is dedicated to caring for the environment, and their ongoing landscape project reflects their commitment to sustainable living.

“It reminds us that we are walking our talk regarding healing the planet,” Thomas McCarter said of his garden. “It’s also a celebration of our marriage and working together.” Friends and neighbors also admire the McCarters’ yard when they visit.

The annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation.

“Free regional WaterSmart landscape workshops are available online and in person to assist homeowners to upgrade their home’s landscape to reduce water bills,” said Sandra Sanchez, Vista Irrigation District water conservation specialist. “Additionally, landscape equipment rebates, including those for rain barrels, are available to help with the cost.”

The Vista Irrigation District joined eleven other local agencies that held landscape contests this year, providing an opportunity to highlight residential water-wise landscapes throughout the region. Participating agencies include Vista, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, California American Water, Rincon Del Diablo Water District, and the cities of Escondido and Oceanside.

For more information about the contest and to see more examples of WaterSmart landscaping, visit www.landscapecontest.com . Visit the district’s website or call (760) 597-3160 to find out more about free landscape workshops and incentive programs.

The Palmer family's winning entry in the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Hard Work Pays Off for 2024 Escondido Landscape Contest Winner

July 22, 2024/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

When longtime Escondido residents Anita and Larry Palmer moved into their new home in 2016, they decided the lawns and water-guzzling plants in their front and back yards “would have to go.”

The result of their landscape makeover is the 2024 City of Escondido Landscape Makeover contest winner.

The Palmer home landscaping before its award-winning makeover. Photo: City of Escondido

The homeowners hoped to save the cost of watering and maintaining the grass and be part of the solution to San Diego County’s water challenges. The Palmers worked on designing a California-friendly landscape. After the existing lawn and plants were removed, they installed new hardscape and a water-efficient drip irrigation system. They planted their new landscape with succulents and cacti propagated from cuttings and from dividing plants.

Drought-tolerant plants used in whimsical underwater theme

Seashells were added to compliment the plants in an underwater life theme. Photo: City of Escondido

Leaning into the whimsy of the underwater-esque scene created by their collection of drought-tolerant plants, the Palmers added a few seashells throughout the garden.

During their landscape transformation process, Anita and Larry enjoyed getting acquainted with their neighbors, sharing the plants they propagated, and watching the neighborhood kids peek into the garden in search of hidden fish and mermaids.

The new landscaping requires very little irrigation, and none during rainy months. Photo: City of Escondido

Today, the Palmers enjoy a landscape that requires little maintenance and is vibrant with color year-round for them and their neighbors. It serves as a source of inspiration to their fellow water-savvy community members. During rainy months, the Palmers can turn their outside water irrigation off completely.

The Palmers have seen a gradual transformation as neighbors follow their example by adopting low-water-use landscaping at their homes. “No two yards that have dry landscaping are the same,” said Anita Palmer. “It’s whatever works for each family.”

The Palmers used succulents and other plants, many of which they propagated themselves from cuttings. Photo: City of Escondido

The Palmers used varieties of Aeoniums, Aloes, Bryophyllum, and Crassula varieties (Jade Plants), Echeveria, Euphorbia, Gasterias, and Graptoveria, which are hybrids of Echeveria and Graptophyllum succulents, Haworthia (Zebra cactus), Sansevieria, Senicio, and sedums, including Donkey’s Tail.

They planted purple statice, ornamental Blue Fescue grass, Mediterranean fan palms, and Desert Museum Palo Verde trees.

City of Escondido Awards Honorable Mention

Patricia Jablonski (left) with friend Kay Campbell. The women worked together on Patricia’s Honorable Mention landscape project. Photo: City of Escondido

The City of Escondido selected Patricia Jablonski’s contest entry as its 2024 Honorable Mention. Jablonski has continuously evolved her landscape since the family moved into the home in 1971.

Once the site of a small but thirsty avocado grove and numerous roses, the yard now features a dry riverbed, a serene rock garden for contemplation, and a variety of succulents and drought-tolerant natives that thrive on a timed drip irrigation system. The garden is a welcoming space where Jablonski often spends time with friends, family, and neighbors.

The Bonita Organic Garden Club received multiple awards for its 'Singing Cowgirls' garden, which features a beautifully rustic sustainable garden. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority Landscape Exhibits

Award-Winning County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain

July 10, 2024/in WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

San Diego County Fair attendees found inspiration for low-water-use sustainable landscaping projects from award-winning examples of creative climate-appropriate and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area.

Californians Learning About Sustainable Landscape Design

The Nifty 50 plants are attractive, non-invasive, easy to maintain, long-term performers and are water-wise once established. You can find them at local nurseries.

Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority, explains how Californians are changing their vision of the ideal home landscape design.

“More than ever, people are looking to create colorful landscapes that use water wisely and invite birds, bees and butterflies,” said Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the Water Authority. “Interest in California native plants, as well as waterwise plants from Australia and South Africa, is skyrocketing.”

The Water Authority’s new Nifty 50 plant list and the soon-to-be-released Happy 100 plant list can help homeowners with landscape plant selection ideal for the San Diego region. Learn more at https://www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/

Bonita Organic Garden Club Wins Multiple Awards

The Bonita Organic Garden Club’s display encourages healthier organic, sustainable gardening practices. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The Bonita Organic Garden Club received multiple awards for its ‘Singing Cowgirls’ garden, which features a beautifully rustic sustainable garden. The Club asked fairgoers to mimic nature and embrace organic gardening. Display signage described the negative impact of chemicals, which harm beneficial soil microbes, enter urban stormwater runoff, and reduce the nutritional value and flavor of fruits and vegetables.

Groovy Garden Fits Fair’s “Retro” Theme Perfectly

Humor is used to get attention for serious low-water-use landscaping tips in the “Groovy Garden” created by Water Authority Senior Resources Specialist Debby Dunn. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Dunn created her own individual “Groovy Garden” display with two themes: 1960s Groovy on one side, and 1970s Disco on the other. While the two sides were separated by a peace-shaped path and different color schemes, both had whimsical elements and colorful water-wise plants. Dunn’s exhibit won first place for depicting the Fair’s theme, “Let’s Go Retro,” plus three additional awards acknowledging her exhibits’ environmental messages.

“It’s all about creating a landscape that illustrates your personality and passion. For me, it’s Flower Power, fun, and plants that invite birds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds,” said Dunn.

Dunn demonstrated various ways to capture stormwater runoff with a dry streambed equipped with a variety of theme-based ducks, a rain chain, and a rain barrel. She also repurposed colorful thrift store and garage sale finds to educate through imagination and humor.

Using Humor To Convey Water-Saving Tips

“I created different rooms including a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and even a bathroom. Everything is upcycled including my pink and my avocado green toilets,” said Dunn. “They are there to remind people that toilet leaks are the number one cause of water loss. One running toilet can flow up to 200 gallons an hour, enough water to fill a pool in four days.”

“My garden promotes education with easy-to-implement tips. It’s definitely over the top because sometimes that’s how you catch somebody’s attention. People are going to stop and say, ‘Look at that pink toilet!’ Then they might read the sign and wonder if their toilet is running before they move on to the next garden.”

Dunn used theme-appropriate items, including a lava lamp and disco ball, to entice fairgoers to her display. “My goal is to bring them in with fun an

Low-Water Use Gardens Suit Many Design Styles

Dunn said low-water-use landscapes offer many different styles to suit individual tastes and needs, similar to interior design styles. “Everyone’s got their look and their style. It’s the same with plants. There are so many options and choices with these plants. There’s something for everybody.

“If you’ve got kids and dogs, you may need grass. But if the only person walking on the grass is the person mowing the grass, you likely don’t need the grass.

There are countless beautiful, native, and California-friendly plants you can place in your garden that will bring you entertainment and joy,” said Dunn.

Large scale landscape makeover projects like this one by the Jamacha Park HOA may be eligible for increased landscape rebates. Photo: Otay Water District

Increased Rebates in 2024 for Large-Scale Landscape Makeover Projects

July 3, 2024/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

San Diego County businesses and public agencies looking to replace ornamental grass with more sustainable landscaping are now eligible for increased rebates from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Metropolitan has added one dollar to its Turf Replacement Program base incentive to $3 per square foot for commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and $4 for public agencies that swap out non-functional grass with California Friendly® and native landscaping.

Funding for the program is provided by a $30 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources.

Landscape makeovers can still be lush and colorful while conserving water.

“We’ve made huge gains in water-use efficiency in Southern California, and businesses and public agencies have the opportunity to help us further that progress,” said Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay.

“By switching to landscaping that is both beautiful and sustainable, they can help our region better adapt to our changing climate while cutting costs and demonstrating leadership in sustainability in their communities.”

The rebate also helps businesses and municipalities comply with new state legislation taking effect in 2027. Assembly Bill 1572 phases out the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional grass that is not used for recreation or other purposes.

“It’s a great opportunity to reduce the cost to eliminate non-functional turf before the state’s watering ban (AB1572) takes effect,” said Debby Dunn, senior water resources specialist at the San Diego County Water Authority.

For assistance, contact or 858-522-6745.

Additional help for San Diego County projects

SLIDER The Panorama HOA in Lake San Marcos achieved beautiful results from its landscaping makeover project, which will conserve water and preserve the region's watershed. Photo: Vallecitos Water District landscape rebates

The Panorama HOA in Lake San Marcos achieved beautiful results from its landscaping makeover project, which will conserve water and preserve the region’s watershed. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Projects in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County can receive an addition $1 per square foot for their turf removal projects

In an effort to help expand our region’s tree canopy and promote sustainability, a newly launched rebate provides an additional $100 per tree incorporated into projects. Both commercial and residential participants can receive this rebate for up to five trees per project.

Long-term water savings from conservation programs

WaterSmart Irrigation-Rebates-Water Efficiency

Rebates are available to help property owners in unincorporated areas reduce expenses, providing significant savings on outdoor landscapes.

Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program has directly resulted in the removal of over 220 million square feet of grass. This saves enough water to serve about 68,000 households each year.

Conservation programs play an important role in the region’s water supply reliability. Today, about 2.5 million acre-feet of the record 3.4 million acre-feet Metropolitan holds in regional storage is water that has been conserved and stored instead of being consumed. That conserved water has been instrumental in staving off additional and more widespread calls for mandatory water cutbacks.

“We know the challenges ahead will require us to think differently and make the right investments in our infrastructure and water supplies,” said Metropolitan board chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “We appreciate the tremendous work the public has done to help us become more resilient to our extreme weather patterns and look forward to the continued progress that we can achieve as a region.”

For more information on Metropolitan’s conservation initiatives and rebate programs and to apply for a commercial, industrial, institutional or public agency rebate, visit bewaterwise.com/turf.

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