Conservation Resources

Landscape

• Water Smart Landscape Makeover Program offers in-depth instruction for upgrading turf yards into water-efficient, sustainable landscapes, including a new video series and firewise advice.
• Water Smart San Diego County provides a resource for regional programs and tips including helping your trees survive the drought.
• Web-based gardening tool can help plan your water-smart landscape. Search a database of climate-appropriate plants, find design tips, and more.
• Professionally drawn water-efficient landscape design plans in San Diego and Orange County.
• Water Efficient Landscapes (brochure)
• “How to” video library
• National Fire Protection Association’s firewise tips
• Xeriscaping: How to Make a Drought-Tolerant Landscape
• The annual California-Friendly Landscape Contest
• California’s Future Sustainable Landscaping is a guidebook published by the California Urban Water Conservation Council.
• Qualified Water-Efficient Landscaper: registration instructions for landscape professionals, a schedule of upcoming classes, and information about hiring QWEL-trained landscapers.
• A Growing Passion KPBS Gardening Show hosted by local gardening expert, Nan Sterman.
• The Water Conservation Garden and San Diego Botanic Garden (On the last Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m., San Diego Botanic Garden gives a special tour featuring water-wise plants in the garden.)

Irrigation Assistance

• California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) – State of California website is frequently updated to provide useful information on weather stations, evapotranspiration, and irrigation.
• RainbBird Irrigation Learning Center – Watch free irrigation system design videos.
• Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply – Provides free irrigation system design assistance.

Saving Water/Water Facts

• Environmental Protection Agency’s savings tips
• Household Water Pressure-Simple Solutions (printable brochure)
• Leak Guidelines for Homeowners (printable brochure)
• Pool – Frequently Asked Questions (flyer)
• Calculate and compare your water use
• How Much Water Do I Use?
• Save our Water
• Aquapedia.com (online water encyclopedia from Water Education Foundation)

Alternative Water Sources

• Graywater – Graywater Action
• The San Diego Sustainable Living Institute offers Laundry-to-Landscape graywater workshops.
• Indirect potable use video
• OMWD Recycled Water
• OMWD Desalination

H2O-What Do You Know?

• Discover Water – An interactive site
• Water Education Foundation: California watersheds slideshow
• WaterSense Kids – Let’s Learn About Water