Outdoor Water Use
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Simple Outdoor Conservation Tips
Reducing outdoor water usage is one of the best places to focus water conservation efforts. As mentioned on the Residential water conservation page, some easy ways to save water include:
- Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff onto the street or sidewalk.
- Equip hoses with shut-off nozzles and use drip irrigation systems.
- Water your landscape early in the morning or late at night
- Place mulch throughout your garden to reduce evaporation, even soil temperature, and reduce weed growth. This can save hundreds of gallons per year.
- Plant drought resistant and/or low water using plants such as California Natives. This can also save hundreds of gallons per year.
- Use a pool cover to cut down on water evaporation
CVWD WaterWise Garden Contest
Drought resistant gardens can be lush and colorful and attract wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds. To encourage and inspire customers to engage in water conserving landscaping practices, the District held a contest where participants were judged on the garden's attractiveness and ease of maintenance (including low water usage).
2024 Winner
Five years ago, Natasha embarked on a mission to turn her front yard into a buzzing oasis for bees, butterflies, and birds. Today, her garden is a vibrant masterpiece of colors and textures, a haven for wildlife, and a budget-friendly water-wise wonderland. The process took a lot of love and plenty of sweat. She removed the Bermuda grass and replaced it with a low-water no-mow lawn and a friendly army of native plants and succulents. Water-wise and lush, her garden relies mostly on hand-watering with infrequent use of an oscillating sprinkler. A clever rainwater collection system that includes a dry creek bed and redirection of water from the gutters and pathways supplement the watering. Natasha is also a proud owner of a mini aquaponics system, providing a home for goldfish and koi; their waste creates nutrient-rich water that becomes plant food. Her verdant oasis not only snagged the county-wide grand prize but also stands as a testament to her creativity, perseverance, and commitment to water conservation. Natasha's typical water usage is 1-2 billing units per month.
As the winner of the WaterWise Garden Contest in Carpinteria, Natasha received a beautifully engraved sandstone boulder to display in her front yard.
Water wise gardens, such as Natasha’s demonstrate that landscapes can include lush plantings and flowers, attract wildlife, are easy to maintain, and use little water - saving money on your water bill. For more information, visit www.WaterWiseSB.org. Let’s Save Together!