Save Water & Money

Water agencies in the Arroyo Seco watershed provide cash rebates to their customers for low-flush and dual-flush toilets and for high efficiency clothes washers. Check here to see what conservation incentives your water utility offers.

Local Rebates

Outside Home Conservation

Conservative estimates suggest that, on average, over half of all water you use at your house is used for landscaping. By using easily available resources, you can save gallons of water per day.


OUTDOOR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)

  • Landscape with California Friendly Plants
  • Keep turf grass to a minimum
  • Keep your sprinklers in good working condition
  • Buy an weather-based sprinkler controller, which automatically adjusts your sprinkler times based on your yard's own microclimate.

REDUCE OUTDOOR WATERING BY:

  • Use a Watering Calculator to figure out how much water your landscape needs
  • If you don't have an automatic sprinkler system, use the Watering Calculator figures to time your watering stations
  • If you have an automatic sprinkler system, use the Watering Calculator to program your system
  • Once you have programmed your system, use the current Watering Index weekly to adjust the amount of water that is being used
  • Water in the morning
  • Make sure your sprinklers are not hitting the street, driveway, walkways and other impermeable surfaces
  • Use a rain harvesting system for irrigaqtion applications
  • Do not leave the hose running while washing your car
  • Sweep your sidewalks and driveways
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and carefully. (Residential use of pesticides accounts for about 8% of all pesticide applications. Urban runoff accounts for about 14% of common water pollution and just over half of that is due to residential use of fertilizers).

Take a tour of water wise gardens in the Arroyo Seco Watershed


Native plants and information links:

Conservation Resources

  • H2ouse.org - A great resource to find information about water conservation in your home, with sources of products, tips for installation and step-by-step instructions on how to start conserving.
  • BeWaterWise.com - California friendly landscaping and sources for purchasing, the Water Calculator and the current Watering Index (updated weekly for Southern California)
  • AltadenaWatershed.org - A great resource for the community with links to vital information about conserving water in your home
  • ArroyoSeco.org - Learn about and get involved in efforts to improve the function of the Arroyo Seco Watershed
  • MWD Conservation - tips and rebates from Southern California's major water supplier.
  • EnergyStar.gov - Your source for energy and water efficient appliances
  • Pasadena Water and Power - Conservation tips from Pasadena's municipal utility.
  • LA Department of Water & Power - Water information from Los Angeles
  • Water Conservation Tips - practical direction from the Mono Lake Commitee on practical ways to save water.
  • Watering Index - Check the watering index to determine how to adjust your sprinklers to eliminate water waste.
  • Urban Water Conservation - water tips for homes and business include a virtual home tour.
  • Irrigation Efficiency - Water budgets for agricultural growers and turf managers administering parks, golf courses and other landscapes.