The City of Santa Ana is very focused on water conservation and is a Signatory with the California Urban Water Conservation Council.  Additionally, we are proud of the progress made in many areas such as:

• educating residents on water conservation programs and opportunities.

• utilizing approximately 75 gallons of water per capita per day, among the lowest in Orange County which averages approximately 128 gallons per day. (Source: 2007 Municipal Water District of Orange County Demand Survey)

• providing high efficiency toilets and waterless urinals in City Hall, City Yard and Police facilities. Past code required five gallons per flush for toilets; new code requires 1.6 gallons.  With average use, waterless urinals will save 40,000 gallons of water each per year (rebates are offered to residents);
  
  
• providing weather based irrigation, utilizing sensors that monitor moisture levels, to water only when necessary;
  
  
• providing high efficiency clothes washers that use less water and perform better (rebates are offered to residents);
  
  
• providing reclaimed water to commercial and industrial users for irrigation or processes;
  
  
• actively working with city departments to adopt water conservation techniques and equipment;
  
  
• working with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) on a variety of conservation efforts;
  
  
  

How You Can Help to Conserve Our Precious Water

• The average homeowner uses twice the amount of water needed to keep plants healthy.  Use the watering calculator and index at www.bewaterwise.com to know exactly how much water your plants need.
  
  
• Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken sprinkler heads.  Update with drip or other more water-efficient sprinklers where appropriate.
  
  
• This fall, plant a portion of your garden with beautiful native and California Friendly plants.  Browse the plant database at www.bewaterwise.com to find just the right look for your outdoor spaces.

• Reduce the amount of water-thirsty grass.  Keep only what you need and replace the rest with less-thirsty plants or permeable paving.  For the grass you keep, set your lawnmower blade higher.

• Adjust your sprinkler timer downward in September.  Plants need less water when days are shorter.
  
  
• Use a broom instead of the hose for cleaning sidewalks and patios.
  
  
• Mulch!  A layer of bark, gravel, compost, sawdust or low-growing groundcover evens out soil temperature and allows better water retention.
  
  
• Check the list of invasive plants that hurt our environment at cal-ipc.org and remove any from your garden.
  
  
• Use less-than-thirsty plants in your garden. Keep turf grass—the thirstiest plant of all, to a minimum. Use warm season turfs. Look for native and California Friendly plants that are well suited to local conditions. Log on to www.bewaterwise.com and check out the Heritage Gardening Guide, with pictures and information on 1,000 great plants that use little water.
  
  
• Use water wisely. Water plants only when needed. Water in the early morning, when evaporation is much lower and air is calmer. Avoid runoff and over spray. Use tools such as the Water Calculator and Watering Index—you can find them at bewaterwise.com. Learn exactly how much water your plants need.
  
  
• If you have a pool or spa, use an insulated cover to cut down on evaporation. It will also keep your pool or spa cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals.
  
  
• Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints inside and outside of your home.
  
  
• Instead of washing your car at home, find a professional carwash that recycles water.
  
  
• If your automatic water softener recharges using a time clock, turn down its frequency of recharging and remember to turn it off when you go away for a few days.
  
  
• Check your water meter to see if there are any leaks. If it’s spinning and there’ no water being used, there is probably an undetected leak somewhere on your property.
  
  
• While waiting for the shower to warm up, catch the cold water in a container to use on outside plants.
  
  
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or while shaving.
  
  
• When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run.
  
  
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator to avoid running the faucet to cool the water.
  
  
• Defrost frozen foods without running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave.
  
  
• Clean vegetables by rinsing them in filled sink or pan.
  
  
• Use the garbage disposal less and garbage can more. Consider composting.
  
  
• Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. If you only have a few dishes, it’s better to wash them by hand.
  
  
• Use only as much water on your lawn as you need to. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water.
  
  
• Install a new “smart” sprinkler controller that figures out the right amount of water for your landscape based on information about your plants and garden environment.
  
  
• Replace your old washing machine with a new, high-efficiency model. Saves 20 to 30 gallons per load.
  
  
• Shorten your showers. Even a one– or two-minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.
  
  
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month.
  
  
• Install a low flow showerhead.
  
  

Rebates and Conservation Programs

High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program

Receive a $100.00 rebate for replacing your old washing machine with a new High Efficiency Clothes Washer.  Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while funds last.  Machines must be purchased on or after January 1, 2006.  Go to SoCal Water$mart at www.bewaterwise.com to see a list of eligible machines or contact 888-376-3314.

SmarTimer Rebate Program

Get a rebate when you upgrade your old, obsolete controller to a new, qualifying "smart" irrigation controller.  The goal of the "smart" irrigation controller is to reduce outdoor water use and promote healthy and attractive landscaping by improving water efficiency. Go to SoCal Water$mart at www.bewaterwise.com for more details or contact 888-376-3314.

High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Program

Up to a $150 rebate is paid to each single family residential customer for each pre-1992 toilet flushing 3.5 gallons per flush or more replaced with a program-approved toilet. Please call to request a program application and list of approved toilets. You will also need your City of Santa Ana Municipal Services account number. View a list of eligible toilets at SoCal Water$mart at www.bewaterwise.com. Purchase of a toilet not on the list is not eligible for the rebate. Contact 888-376-3314.

Multi-Family, Commercial, and Industrial Programs

View the Save Water, Save a Buck website at www.mwdsaveabuck.com, the Be Water Wise website at www.bewaterwise.com, or contact 877-728-2282.

Rotating Nozzle Rebate Program

Single family residences in Orange County are eligible to receive a rebate for the purchase of select rotating nozzles purchased after July 10, 2007. To qualify for the rebate, all spray heads on each selected valve/station/zone must be replaced with rotating nozzles and the irrigation clock must be adjusted. For additional information call 888-376-3314 or go to SoCal Water$mart at www.bewaterwise.com.

More Rebate Programs and Conservation Links

Sponsored by the City of Santa Ana and Metropolitan Water District’s Family of Southern California Water Agencies.

Be Water Wise

www.bewaterwise.com

Save Water, Save a Buck

www.mwdsaveabuck.com

Municipal Water District of Orange County

www.mwdoc.com

More Stuff!

Flex Your Power

www.fypower.org

Southern California Gas

www.socalgas.com

Southern California Edison

www.sce.com

H2O House

www.h2ouse.org