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Fairways at Lake San Marcos HOA replaced 23,000 square feet of common area turf grass with native and drought-tolerant plants. Photo: County of San Diego

One Water Awards Honors Vallecitos Water District Projects

May 22, 2025/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Vallecitos Water District was recognized with a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) for its efforts to work with homeowners associations in its district on turf replacement projects.

Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins accepted the award on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District in a recognition event at Metropolitan’s headquarters in Los Angeles on May 21.

L to R: Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay, Metropolitan Senior Water Specialist Gary Tilkian, Vallecitos Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins, and Metropolitan Board Chairman Adan Ortega at the One Water Awards. Photo: Metropolitan Water District

Now in its third year, Metropolitan’s One Water Awards honors businesses and non-residential industries for achieving remarkable water savings with assistance from its various water efficiency programs.

Award-winning projects are located throughout Metropolitan’s six-county service area and are recognized for accomplishments in sustainability, innovation, community engagement, collaboration, and leadership.

“The honorees here with us today are remarkable not only for their dedication to saving water, but for the example they set in their communities,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “They are proving what’s possible – and showing how Southern California can rise to the challenge of adapting to a changing climate. That’s a vision Metropolitan shares.”

Watch a video about the successful landscaping projects.

“I’m so pleased to get this award. I feel a little guilty; I get to stand up here and get this award, but really it was a partnership,” said Robbins. “It was the incentives offered by the Metropolitan Water District. It was the partnering between the San Diego County Water Authority and the County of San Diego. And then it was the individual homeowners associations,” working with Vallecitos to make its projects a reality.

Robbins said videos featuring the projects and articles in the District’s newsletter generated additional interest from eligible HOAs.

Water News Network featured all three of the winning Vallecitos Water District projects as they were completed.

Fairways at Lake San Marcos Project

The bowl-shaped common space at the Mall III Homeowners Association property in Lake San Marcos was once dominated by turf, which wasn’t being used while requiring significant irrigation.

The San Elijo homeowner association had attempted to remodel its landscaping for nearly a decade. Not only was irrigation a significant expense, but the runoff from rain and irrigation polluted the lake. After a water-smart landscape upgrade, it’s now a point of pride that’s easier on the budget.

The transformation, made possible in part by incentives offered through the Water Authority’s rebate program, is one that local officials hope will inspire other communities.

23,000 sq ft area
10,000 sq. ft. native plants installed.
100,000 gallon reduction in irrigation runoff per year
Water savings: one million gallons
Cost savings: $66,000 over ten years

Fairways at Lake San Marcos HOA replaced 23,000 square feet of common area turf grass with native and drought-tolerant plants. A rock-lined swale cascades down a slope to prevent stormwater runoff and provides an attractive entrance to the community. A butterfly garden with a gravel walkway near the clubhouse provides accessibility and education.

Fairways HOA president Terry Brown said her community was introduced to the program and decided to move forward.

Preventing runoff into Lake San Marcos is a benefit of the new landscaping. Photo: County of San Diego

“We removed 23,000 square feet, and then we got three dollars for each square foot that we removed, plus we got 40 cents for the drip irrigation system. We’re going to receive one dollar per square foot for at least 10,000 square feet of California native plants. So, we did all of that. And we’re pleased with everything that has happened,” said Brown.

While rebates defrayed the initial costs, the real savings will be realized in the years ahead on one of the HOA’s major expenses, the cost of irrigation.

San Elijo HOA Project

WaterSmart Contractor Incentive Program Benefits San Elijo HOA

There are more than 6,700 homeowners associations in San Diego County. Two million County residents live within an HOA, according to the California Association of Community Managers.

Launched in 2021 by the County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program and the San Diego County Water Authority, the WaterScape Rebate Program is open to HOAs and commercial properties in unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

The Landscape Optimization Service (LOS) offered through the Waterscape Rebate Program is a technical assistance program for large-scale landscaping projects in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. The program helps applicants with large landscapes, such as HOAs, parks, and commercial properties, to navigate the requirements, overcome any barriers, and maximize their rebate eligibility.

Still Room for Thoughtful Use of Grass

Thoughtful inclusion of grass for play areas, pets, and other uses is incorporated into the new landscaping. Photo: County of San Diego

Makeovers don’t require removing all grass. Instead, grass is retained where it is most useful and practical. For the Fairways HOA board members, it meant accommodating the many residents who like to walk their dogs in the neighborhood, and wanted to retain some grassy spaces for them to enjoy with their pets.

As part of the program, LOS staff analyzes estimated water and cost savings, which helps decision-makers justify the investment with an understanding of how quickly the project will pay for itself. The program also offers discounted designs to participants.

The enhanced incentives include rebates for turf replacement, smart controller stations, rain barrels, and cisterns.

More information on the Landscape Optimization Service can be found here, or contact your member water agency for details.

Rebate Program Helps HOAs Become Grand-Scale Water Savers

January 2, 2024/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Maddie Simmons /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Caron Golden Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The bowl-shaped common space at the Mall III Homeowners Association property in Lake San Marcos was once a pricey, turf-heavy problem for its HOA board. After a water-smart landscape upgrade, it’s now a point of pride that’s easier on the budget.

Full Story

Before and after views of the Lake San Marocs Mall III Homeowners Association makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District makeover conserves water

Makeovers Conserve Water, Saves Costs for Lake San Marcos HOAs

May 22, 2023/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Through a partnership between the Vallecitos Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, and the County of San Diego, landscape makeover projects in unincorporated areas can take advantage of water-use efficiency rebates as well as professional expertise to maximize conservation and cost savings.

The Waterscape Rebate Program applies to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers who make landscape upgrades to improve the region’s climate resilience and reduce the flow of pollutants into waterways.

The landscape makeover project solicited input from homeowners to provide new amenities. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Multiple homeowners associations within the Lake San Marcos area of the Vallecitos Water District have benefitted from qualifying projects. The scale of these projects and potential savings make them especially successful.

The most recently completed project within the Vallecitos Water District was undertaken by the Mall III Homeowners Association. HOA members had discussed the idea for nearly 15 years. The availability of the County and Vallecitos Water District support helped determine whether the makeover would be effective and cost-neutral.

Agency partnerships pay off

“This has been a terrific partnership between the County of San Diego, the San Diego County Water Authority, the Vallecitos Water District, and the community of Lake San Marcos,” said Chris Robbins, public information/conservation supervisor for the Vallecitos Water District. “This story focuses on the Mall III Homeowners Association, but the Panorama HOA and Sunrise Pointe HOA already participated in the program. Two other associations, Fairway Knolls and Fairways HOA, are currently in the process right now. All these HOAs will be saving water and money, while also improving the water quality of Lake San Marcos.”

The Mall III HOA landscaping before undertaking its recent makeover project. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Mike Kesler, Mall III HOA Board President, said getting an internal consensus among their homeowners through actively soliciting ideas from homeowners to learn what was important to them was critical in completing this project.

“We found some folks wanted trees. Other folks didn’t want trees because they would block the view,” said Kesler. “Knowing that ahead of time and being able to deal with that in the plan made it easier for people to vote yes on the project. And I think that’s important.

“It took us quite a while to get to a layout that accomplished our goals of saving money and beautifying the area that was net zero from a cost standpoint.”

Consensus building accomplishes savings goals

New pathways and riverbeds to channel water runoff help protect area watersheds. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

To make applying for rebates easier for large landscapes, the County added a Landscape Optimization Service, a unique technical assistance program for large-scale landscaping projects. The program helps applicants with large landscapes, such as HOAs and commercial properties, to navigate the requirements, overcome any barriers, and maximize their rebate eligibility.

In addition, the Vallecitos Water District offers its customers a free assessment of current water use to determine whether investments in irrigation upgrades could be helpful to help HOA boards and other decision-makers determine whether their investment in landscaping projects are cost-effective.

“It’s been a great program for us to pursue and to implement, ” said Mall III HOA Board Member Dave Engel. “We had a need to save water, and to do it in a smart way, which is what this rebate program allows. When those two come together, I think it’s a good match.”

Rebate programs helped to make the Lake San Marcos Mall III HOA project cost-neutral for homeowners. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Rebate amounts can vary. Multiple rebates can be stacked together, including $3 per square foot for turf replacement, $60 per smart controller station, $65 per rain barrel and up to $450 per cistern. The County of San Diego offers $1 per square foot for landscapes planted with California native plants.

Water customers in unincorporated San Diego County can determine their eligibility at: SanDiegoCounty.gov/WatershedRebates. More information on the Landscape Optimization Service can be found here. The program is actively recruiting new participants.

The Waterscape Rebate Program helps protect local waterways by reducing pollutants that enter storm drains. When irrigation systems overflow from landscaping, runoff may carry pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers into the storm drain system and cause the same negative effects as runoff from rainfall. Reducing turf helps reduce irrigation use and runoff. HOA landscapes are potentially significant contributors.

Learn more about the County of San Diego Watershed Protection at its website.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

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 DistrictHOA landscape makeover

Lake San Marcos HOA Landscape Makeovers Benefit From County Watershed Restoration Program

December 6, 2022/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

Lake San Marcos area homeowners associations are conserving water and helping restore the area’s watershed with support from the County of San Diego’s Watershed Rebate program. The rebate program is part of the County’s Watershed Protection Program.

An example of the transformation of the Panorama HOA landscaping. Photos: Vallecitos Water District

Through a partnership between the program and the San Diego County Water Authority, residences and businesses in unincorporated areas of San Diego County are eligible for enhanced water-use efficiency rebates. The Waterscape Rebate Program saves money for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers who make landscape upgrades to improve the region’s climate resilience and reduce the flow of pollutants into waterways.

The Panorama HOA in Lake San Marcos is one of six HOAs in the Vallecitos Water District participating in the program. The project is featured in a new video produced by Vallecitos.

Partnership working to meet drought challenges

“While droughts are cyclical, now they’re hotter and drier and lasting a lot longer,” said Joni German, water resources specialist at the Water Authority. “The Water Authority looks to our partners like the County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program to help us meet these challenges.”

“This project here in Lake San Marcos is a great example of a successful turf conversion project, supported by multiple agencies through the Landscape Optimization Service, said German. “Panorama HOA removed 30,000 square feet of thirsty turf and replaced it with sustainable landscaping, including 14,000 square feet of native landscape.”

Multiple benefits from HOA landscape makeovers

Removing turf yields multiple benefits including water conservation, watershed protection, and potential cost savings. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Sustainable landscapes produce multiple benefits, which include reducing water use, enhancing habitat, increasing stormwater retention, and decreasing runoff.

To make applying for rebates easier for large landscapes, the County created the Landscape Optimization Service (LOS), a unique technical assistance program for large-scale landscaping projects. The program helps applicants with large landscapes, such as HOAs and commercial properties, to navigate the requirements, overcome any barriers, and maximize their rebate eligibility.

“It’s a service offered free to large landscapes. It helps them get the most from the rebates that are available,” said Jamie Milani, land use planner for the Watershed Protection Program. “Throughout the process, we are always here for our customers. If there’s ever any challenges with the rebate application process, we’re here to help.”

The new landscaping uses California native plants, which are eligible for an additional rebate. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

LOS staff analyzes estimated water and cost savings, including anticipated rebate totals, which helps decision-makers justify the investment with an understanding of how quickly the project will pay for itself. The program also offers discounted landscape design services to participants.

Rebate amounts can vary. Multiple rebates can be stacked together, including $3 per square foot for turf replacement, $60 per smart controller station, $65 per rain barrel, and up to $450 per cistern. The County program also offers $1 per square foot for landscapes planted with California native plants.

Positive feedback from Panorama HOA on program participation

Jack Rush, vice president of operations for O’Connell Landscape Maintenance, discusses the makeover plan with Panorama HOA President Amber Rugghanti. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Panorama HOA President Amber Ragghanti said members decided to participate in the program due to its landscaping aging out and the opportunity to secure assistance from the program, along with the rebates.

“The residents at Panorama were really happy with the process, especially because there was no cost,” said Ragghanti. “A lot of the people living here are also concerned about saving water.”

Ragghanti encourages other qualified HOAs to look into the program. “It’s been such a benefit. It’s been easy. The whole process has been a lot smoother than I thought it would be. I would recommend it to anybody.”

Water customers in unincorporated San Diego County can determine their eligibility at: WatershedRebates. More information on the Landscape Optimization Service can be found here.

When irrigation systems overflow from landscaping, runoff may carry pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers into the storm drain system. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The Waterscape Rebate Program helps protect local waterways by reducing pollutants that enter storm drains. When irrigation systems overflow from landscaping, runoff may carry pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers into the storm drain system. Reducing turf helps reduce irrigation use and runoff.

(Editors Note: Story updated March 22, 2023. The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)