Water Conservation Programs for your Landscape
Everyone likes to keep their yard or garden looking green and healthy, but did you know that many people tend to over-water their landscapes by 20 to 40 percent? In a typical year, about one-third of the City's water supply is used for irrigation purposes. By using water-efficient landscape techniques, you can maintain a thriving, beautiful garden while cutting summer water use significantly. The City of Santa Cruz offers several programs to help you conserve water outdoors.
Water-Smart Gardening in Santa Cruz County website and cd A website and cd featuring local gardens, plants, and resources to help you save water in the garden.
Water Wise Gardening Literature We have a wide variety of beautifully illustrated publications about water-wise gardening available just for asking.
Lawn Removal Rebate Take out your lawn and receive a rebate.
Home Water Survey Our water conservation specialist will make a house-call to evaluate your water use, with emphasis on outdoor irrigation. We provide site-specific recommendations to help you save water and control your utility bill.
Irrigation Resources Information includes irrigation assistance, lawn watering guide, drip irrigation guidelines, weather-based irrigation controllers, Water Use Reports, and CIMIS.
Lawn Watering Guide This simple handout shows how to determine the proper watering times for your lawn according to the season.
Lose the Lawn: 21 Inspiring Yards Sunset Magazine illustrates twenty one beautiful lawn-free yards. Get design ideas for converting water-thirsty lawns into attractive, water thrifty gardens.
Find a Landscape Professional Need help with your irrigation or maintaining your garden? Find an irrigation specialist or green gardener.
Graywater Use in Santa Cruz A brief overview of water reuse for your home landscape plus links to information about graywater.
Landscape Regulations for New Development This page covers the plan check requirements and water conservation standards for new development projects within the City's water service area.
Water Use Reports Learn how our free Water Use Reports provide a custom water budget and help landscape customers better track their irrigation use.
Rain Barrel Program Water Conservation offers rain barrels for sale at a discounted rate of $30.00 to interested SCMU customers from November -March or until supplies are gone.