It All
Adds Up City, homeowners and businesses can use water more wisely
“W
by Evan Tuchinsky
ater is precious.” replace front-yard turf with native, drought-resistant Ask William Granger, water plants and add smart controllers for watering. It conservation administrator for launched in May. the City of Sacramento, why it’s Irrigation Upgrade, launching soon, will provide important to save, and these are the first words you’ll incentives for homeowners to replace older, lesslikely hear. The message may seem obvious amid efficient sprinklers and leaky valves, and to convert to California’s third straight year of shortages, but many drip irrigation. Sacramentans don’t consider limits to our local supply. The city continues to offer incentives to businesses “There are so many ways we can use it more wisely and developers who install water-saving fixtures and more efficiently that people don’t even think and equipment. Moreover, anyone — homeowner about,” Granger says. “They turn on the water when or businessowner — can request a Water Wise they’re filling up their glass or washing dishes and kind House Call, in which a conservation expert from the of take it for granted.” utilities department will perform an inspection and The City of Sacramento’s Department of Utilities recommend measures for saving water. City crews are procures water from three main sources: the American also doing their part by checking the 150-year-old River (which flows into Folsom Reservoir), the municipal infrastructure for leaks. Sacramento River and groundwater wells. Folsom “We take water conservation seriously,” Granger Reservoir’s level is only at 40 percent of capacity, says. “We want to make sure we lead by example.” an indication of “the very serious drought” tapping supplies statewide. “Water use adds up very quickly,” Granger says. “People think of tips such as turning off the sink when you’re brushing your teeth, and you’re saving one or two gallons, but when you see water running down the street from your neighbor’s landscape, that’s 15 gallons a minute. William Granger, City of Sacramento “It’s all relative, but it’s all about helping extend our water conservation administrator, says water supply and keep it in our reservoirs longer.” his department offers many resources Recently, conservation efforts have shifted from and incentives for homeowners and businesses to be water wise. indoors to outdoors. Plumbing fixtures and household Photo by louise mitchell appliances have represented what Granger calls “the low-hanging fruit.” So the city has turned its attention to landscaping and irrigation, which absorb 60 percent of a typical household’s water usage. Excessive watering stems from thirsty plant species, such as grass, and overactive sprinklers. The latter, Granger says, represents “a big challenge — people set their sprinkler system and forget it, or a lot of times they have “It’s all about somebody else program their helping extend our controller and don’t realize exactly when it comes on. water supply.” There’s lots of mystery William Granger to overcome, and we’re City of Sacramento water conservation administrator working to overcome that.” The city has designed two programs to combat outdoor water waste. The River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program, also known as Cash 4 Grass, reimburses homeowners who 2 | Be Water Smart | www.SpareSacWater.org | A Special Advertising Supplement
Water facts Even though 70% of the Earth is covered by water, less than 1% is available for human use
The average Sacramento household uses ...
=
417 gallons per day
Outdoor watering typically accounts for 60% of household use
The average person uses ...
=
116
gallons per day at Home
Outdated, inefficient toilets use
3.5 to 5 gallons per flush Bath or shower? A full tub takes 36 gallons; low-flow showerheads emit 2 gallons per minute Around 10% of homes have leaks that drip away at least 90 gallons per day
“I’ve had strangers walking by, or even driving by, stop and compliment me on it. So I think it turned out well.” Gary Miller Homeowner/participant in River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program
Goodbye
Grass Before
Homeowner turns lawn into a water-saving landscape by Evan Tuchinsky ary Miller is a Sacramento homeowner with a architectural firm, The Garden Tutors, which he also pragmatic view of environmental conservation. commissioned to do the work. For the last 15 years of work as a Web developer, In applying for the River-Friendly Landscape rebate, he commuted by bicycle, and that’s how he still he submitted the design plans, which included droughtlikes to get around — but he’s kept a car for trips to Home resistant landscaping, a path and a drip-irrigation system Depot and Costco. with a smart controller. The city asked him to replace a “I’m not exactly a hug-the-tree guy, but I do what I few plants with other species, which his architect did, can,” Miller says. “An ugly front yard helped.” and the revision received final approval. An unsightly patch of gold grass was enough motivation “That was a painless process, fine-tuning it to their for him to ditch his lawn altogether. Benefiting from a requirements,” Miller says. rebate through the City of Sacramento’s River-Friendly The city promptly performed a pre-inspection of Landscape Rebate Program, Miller transformed the front the yard. Soon after the project was completed came of his home with plant-life and paving features that are not the post-inspection, and then Miller received his only aesthetically pleasing but also water-wise. rebate check. “It’s a very attractive design,” says Julie Friedman, “Probably the most impressive thing about it was environmental services manager for the Department of how they responded in a very timely basis,” Miller Utilities, which administers the program. “Before it was says. “I appreciate how responsive and cooperative the just basic grass that he let turn gold. Now it’s a beautiful, city was.” more efficient design.” He also appreciates the final result. The River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program, “All my neighbors have complimented me on also known as Cash 4 Grass, reimburses city residents the design, which I take credit for,” Gary says with for replacing turf with native, water-saving plants and a chuckle. “I’ve had strangers walking by, or even installing smart controller irrigation. The program driving by, stop and compliment me on it. So I think it launched in May, and Miller was among the first wave turned out well.” of participants. He’s also pleased with the thought of conserving Concerned about water conservation, plus aware that water, with savings that will become even more his “wasn’t one of the best lawns in the neighborhood,” significant once the new plants get established and the Miller already had planned to revamp his front yard. weather cools down. He’d started to kill off the grass — “better living “I had poor soil, and I’d always get run-off no matter through chemistry,” he quips — and hired a landscaping how I’d water,” Miller says. “Truly I know I’m saving water.”
G
Homeowner Gary Miller is proud to have a beautiful front yard that saves water. He submitted his plans to the city’s River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program. Photo by Louise Mitchell
Ready to trade in your grass? Through the River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program, the City of Sacramento reimburses homeowners 50 cents per square foot, up to $1,000, for replacing front-yard turf with native, drought-tolerant plants, and up to $250 for an irrigation smart controller. (Homeowner associations and apartments can receive up to $2,500 for turf replacement and $350 for smart controllers.) “Customers shouldn’t be put off by the application packet,” says Julie Friedman, environmental services manager for the Department of Utilities. “It’s really very easy to complete, and we’re here to help.” Here’s how to get started: 1 C all (916) 808-1337, email waterconservation@ cityofsacramento.org or visit www. SpareSacWater.org for an application 2 S ubmit the rebate agreement, work plans and “before” photo 3 Upon approval, receive a pre-inspection 4 Complete the project 5 Provide receipts 6 Receive a post-inspection 7 Get your check
A Special Advertising Supplement | City of Sacramento Department of Utilities | Be Water Smart | 3
The
H2O Detective
Helping residents and business owners conserve water
D
ripping faucets. Errant sprinklers. house visits, Geach says an unusual spike in Bad pipes. It’s all in a typical day for water use across a couple of days prompted a Water Conservation Specialist Ryan call from the owner of a rental property. The Geach. home was built in 1935, so Geach says there As part of the Water Wise program for were many potential places where there could the City of Sacramento’s Department of be a leak. Once he was certain there was no Utilities, Geach’s job is to track down the water running in the house, he went to check source of wasted water and help homeowners the meter to see if it was still running. and business owners put a stop to it. In the “The meter wasn’t going at all, which told midst of the current drought, his job is more me it had to be something inside the house,” crucial than ever. But it’s not always easy to Geach says. “It could be a toilet or something locate the leak. That’s where Geach has to use like that where the chain is loose.” his detective skills. Geach’s intuition was right. Once he Geach says a leak can originate from checked all the faucets inside the house, many places, including the main line from he narrowed in on the toilet. On closer the meter to a home or business, inspection, he was able to see water heaters, toilets, washers, that the handle was broken, sinks and irrigation which caused the chain to systems. hang below the flapper “Lots of times, and get caught. For “The money leaks are out of this particular call, we’re saving people’s hands,” he estimated the Geach says. “The homeowner was losing them and the money we’re saving 52 gallons of water a water we’re them and the water day — a $20 fix that we’re saving can be would save hundreds saving can be significant if we can of dollars over time. significant.” solve that problem The woman living Ryan Geach for them. It could be in the home, 59-year-old Water conservation specialist anywhere from 100 Gwen Winchell, says she gallons a day to 19,000 was happy Geach was able gallons of water a day.” to find the problem. She, too, When a meter registers 24 was concerned about the leak — hours of continuous water use over especially with the current drought. five consecutive days, a letter is sent to the “What he’s doing is so important,” property owner to alert them that there may Winchell says. “We’ve all got to do be a potential leak. The owner will then reach everything we can to help out during the out to the city for help. For one of his recent drought for our lakes and rivers.”
Schedule your FREE Water Wise House Call Think you have a leak? Want to use your water more efficiently around the home? Schedule your free Water Wise House Call today. Conserving water not only saves you money, it’s the responsible thing to do. A professional water use technician will come to your home or business and help you identify areas where you could be more water efficient, including indoor plumbing, irrigation systems and water leaks. To schedule a Water Wise House Call, call 311 Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 4 | Be Water Smart | www.SpareSacWater.org | A Special Advertising Supplement
by Mike Blount
Ryan Geach checks a water meter for clues to why a homeowner is seeing a spike in usage during a recent Water Wise House Call. Photo by Louise Mitchell
General Manager Kelly Vytlacil says the Sacramento Airport/ Natomas Courtyard Marriott is committed to conserving water. The hotel has converted its landscaping to use less water. Photo by Louise Mitchell
Making the
Change
H
Renovations help hotel conserve water
by Mike Blount
otels use a lot of water. From the guests showering just five days, 151 toilets were replaced. The hotel is in the and flushing toilets, to the employees washing bed process of replacing four more toilets, which will bring linens every day, water consumption is a major the total to 155. Though it’s still too early to tell exactly part of a hotel’s operation. Kelly Vytlacil, general how much water the renovations are saving, Vytlacil says manager of the 140-room Sacramento Airport/Natomas he anticipates a significant reduction. The new toilets also Courtyard Marriott, knows this firsthand. He meant the business earned more than $23,000 in keeps an eye on the hotel’s water usage each rebates from the City of Sacramento. month as part of a company-wide goal Vytlacil identified another area where to reduce overall use. the Courtyard Marriott could save “From 2013 to 2014, our water — its landscaping design. The reduction in water was already hotel is working with a landscape about 19 percent,” Vytlacil company to convert turf areas “We’re demonstrating says. “But we are always to ones that do not require as thinking about what else much watering. to our customers we can do,” Vytlacil says. “The landscape company that we’re committed That led Vytlacil to we’re working with is very the City of Sacramento adept at design,” Vytlacil to saving water, and Department of Utilities says. “We’ve taken out if we save a little website to search for ways a lot of the grass and money along the way, the hotel could conserve replaced it with bark for even more water. He the environment around that’s good, too.” realized the hotel still had the hotel. It’s a good look Kelly Vytlacil the same toilets installed for us.” General manager at Sacramento Airport/ from when it was originally Vytlacil says he hopes Natomas Courtyard Marriott built in 1990. Since that time, that more businesses take more efficient toilets have been the initiative to find ways to designed that use up to two-thirds conserve water. less water per flush. The city would also “Marriott Corporation already give rebates for retrofitting the toilets. has reduction goals in place, so we’re “To me, it was a win-win,” Vytlacil says. “The always looking for opportunities to reach those new toilets use substantially less water and they’re designed goals,” Vytlacil says. “But I think that everyone has not to clog. We’re demonstrating to our customers that a responsibility to do their part to save water and we’re committed to saving water, and if we save a little environmental resources. We’re very excited about money along the way, that’s good, too.” these changes. We’re getting a lot of positive feedback In August 2014, the hotel changed out the original toilets and it’s just the right thing to do. We’ll continue to for dual-flush models, which use only one gallon per flush. In work to save even more.”
The Business of Saving Water During the drought, it’s important that everyone does their part to conserve water — including businesses. The City of Sacramento will even help with rebates for businesses that pay for upgrades to reduce water usage. Replacing old equipment with newer models that use water more efficiently not only saves water, it saves money. To have a water conservation specialist help you identify areas where your business can use water more efficiently, call 311 or 916-264-5011 to schedule a Water Wise Business Call today.
Rebates available for upgrades include ... • Up to $150 to replace toilets (inspection required) • Up to $150 to replace urinals (inspection required) • Up to $75 for new pre-rinse spray valves • Up to $165 for clothes washers • Up to $300 for new ice machines
A Special Advertising Supplement | City of Sacramento Department of Utilities | Be Water Smart | 5
Think of What
You Could Save 1,200 gallons per month To wash your car, use a hose nozzle and turn off the water when not rinsing to save: Switch to drip irrigation for trees, shrubs and flowers to save: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks to save:
Replace an inefficient clothes washer with a higheffiency one to save:
750 gallons per month
500 gallons per month
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth to save up to:
per month 300 gallons per 1,000 square feet
180 gallons per month 150 gallons per month 60 gallons per month
Turn off the water while washing your hair or shaving to save:
Goal:
20%
reduction in water consumption by 2020
As of August 2014
37%
City’s reduction in water usage from year-to-date water use in 2013
Install a smart controller for the irrigation system to save up to: Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they’re full to save up to:
1,000 gallons per month 960 gallons per month
Use a low-flow showerhead to save up to:
Doing Our Part
The following measures can add up to big water savings:
Install a highefficency toilet to save up to:
Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation, keep the soil cool to save up to:
Fix broken sprinkler heads and system leaks, plus correct overspray to save up to:
Reduce your shower time by 1 minute to save:
How the City of Sacramento has helped save water How it’s been done: • Reduce irrigation at parks and recreation facilities (except high-use sports fields) • Reduce watering of landscaped medians on streets and roadways • Wash city’s vehicle fleet less frequently • Place signage in restrooms and other areas of City buildings to remind of the urgent need to save water • Monitor water use in mechanical cooling systems and coil cleaning • Install low water use fixtures at city facilities
6 | Be Water Smart | www.SpareSacWater.org | A Special Advertising Supplement
Water meter retrofit program: • 50% of customers have received water meter installation • Enables customers to monitor their use • By 2025, the city plans to install water meters for all customers
A Beautiful Garden
Cheryl Buckwalter is a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor, designer, and executive director of EcoLandscape California. Photo by Louise Mitchell
with Less Water?
Landscape designer Cheryl Buckwalter says it’s possible by Tinka Davi
M
any homeowners think having a beautiful garden calls for lots of water. And with Sacramento’s severe drought and the mandatory cutbacks on water usage, they may think their plants, trees and lawns are suffering with nary a drop to drink. So can people cut back on watering and still have an attractive garden? Cheryl Buckwalter, Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor, designer, and executive director of EcoLandscape California, says it can be done, with some mulch, strategic planting and efficient irrigation.
Is watering just two days a week enough? Historically and traditionally we have overwatered our landscape by watering five days a week, whether our plants need it or not. By overwatering, we are creating an unhealthy environment for roots. We are not allowing air to get back into the soil, and roots need the movement of air and water. The two-days-a-week schedule is a good opportunity for us to learn to use water more efficiently.
Why should I replace my lawn? There are benefits for not having a lawn. You can have a lovelier and healthier landscape by using a palette of plants appropriate for our climate and conditions — long hot summers and, historically, cool wet winters. A lawn is OK if it has a purpose, such as a place where children play or for pets. Also, there are many beautiful parks where people can go and enjoy the lawns, so why not use them!
Should I use a soaker hose? While soaker hoses have been popular, they just ooze water and you can’t tell how much water is being applied. An efficient method of watering trees is to use dripperlines (tubes with emitters), placing them in circles within the drip line (the edge of the canopy) for the entire diameter of trees and about a foot beyond the drip line. The dripperlines are placed underneath mulch. It’s a very efficient way of applying water, reducing evaporation and retaining soil moisture.
What watering schedule do you recommend for sprinklers? It’s best to use the cycle-and-soak method. Break up your schedule into short periods of time with an hour or so between each cycle. To be really efficient, install rotary nozzles in your sprinkler bodies. These nozzles apply water more slowly with larger droplets of water, so the water can soak into the ground. Another important water-saver is to turn your system on periodically to make sure the system is working properly and quickly repair leaks, cracks or broken parts and adjust sprinklers so they are not spraying anything other than the intended target — the lawn!
What watering schedule do you recommend for drip systems? For low-volume drip systems used on plants, you’ll have to think about the size of the nursery container when you purchased the plant. That’s going to be the size of the root zone the plant currently has in the ground, so you want to make sure the entire root zone receives water. Turn on the irrigation dripperline for 30 to 45 minutes, for example, then let the water soak in for an hour or so. Next, use a trowel and dig outside the root ball into the soil. The soil should be moist nearly as deep as the roots in that container. If not, then water for another cycle. This helps you determine your schedule for your plants.
Why should I use mulch? Mulch has many benefits: It helps to retain soil moisture, moderates soil temperature, reduces weed growth and prevents erosion. Apply 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch (for example, wood chips) to the soil surface and replenish it as it breaks down over time. Before applying new mulch, rake back the existing mulch, put 1/4 - to 1/2-inch of wellprocessed compost on the soil surface to help “feed the soil” and its organisms, spray it to moisten, and cover the compost with the mulch.
Online resources for water smart landscapes Drought-tolerant plants EcoLandscape California: www.ecolandscape.org Water-wise Gardening in the Gold Country: www.BeWaterSmart.info California Native Plant Society: www.sacvalleycnps.org UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars: www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu Landscaping professionals Qualified Green Gardener Professionals List: www.ecolandscape.org California Landscape Contractors Association: www.clca.org
What trees and shrubs do you recommend? We are fortunate to be able to use a wide range of droughttolerant and California native trees and plants. Select trees and plants that are appropriate for the climate, the region, sun exposure and type of soil. To efficiently irrigate them, group plants with similar needs together. For help, call upon professionals. Many licensed landscape contractors, designers, irrigation experts and maintenance workers can be found online (see sidebar). Having a design can also serve as your road map for planning and installing your garden — whether you do it all at once or in phases. If you’re not able to hire a professional to help with your entire project, consider hiring a professional for a consultation. They can help you avoid many costly mistakes. You can have a lot of fun and be empowered to go from wasting water to an enjoyable garden that’s beautiful and uses less water year-round.
“Historically and traditionally we have overwatered our landscape by watering five days a week, whether our plants need it or not.” Cheryl Buckwalter EcoLandscape California executive director, Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor and Designer
A Special Advertising Supplement | City of Sacramento Department of Utilities | Be Water Smart | 7
Helping Everyone
Save Water City of Sacramento Department of Utilities
Saving water needs to be in our thoughts every day — when we turn on our sprinklers, brush our teeth and wash our clothes. When we all pitch in, we all win. City of Sacramento Department of Utilities is helping you do your part through these programs: River-friendly Landscape Rebate Program Trade in your front-yard grass and get a rebate of up to $1,000. Call: (916) 808-1337 Email: waterconservation@cityofsacramento.org Visit: www.SpareSacWater.org for an application
Water-Wise House Call Business and residential customers can get a FREE visit from a water conservation professional and find out how to save water around the home or workplace. Call: 311, Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Business Services Rebates are available for commercial customers to reduce their water use. Call: (916) 264-5011 to schedule a Water-Wise Business Call Visit: www.SpareSacWater.org for full list of rebates
Water meter retrofit City of Sacramento Department of Utilities is progressing on its project to retrofit most water connections with water meters, allowing some customers to track their water use more closely. Visit: www.SpareSacWater.org
10 Things Everyone Can do to Save It takes awhile to change habits, but there’s one we all need to adopt: saving water. Clip this article and hang it on the fridge, the bathroom mirror or any place where you and others in your household can cut back and conserve water. 1 T urn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving. 2 C ollect water in a bucket in the shower and in small plastic containers placed in the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Recycle the water for other uses, such as watering plants. Use a rain barrel in the backyard to collect even more water. 3 I nstall a low-flow shower head and take shorter showers of five minutes or less. Or skip a day (depending on work requirements and family requests). 4 I nstall low-flow toilets and save at least 8,000 gallons a year. 5 F ollow the watering schedule: Odd numbered addresses are permitted to water only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Even numbered addresses are permitted to water only on Wednesdays and Sundays. No watering is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. Watering must occur before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The schedule changes in November, so visit www.SpareSacWater.org for updated guidelines. 6 S crape food from plates into the trash or compost bin; use the garbage disposal as little as possible. 7 Wash full loads of dishes and laundry. 8 E mbrace the slogan: “Gold is the New Green” and forego watering your lawn. Tell your friends what you’re doing by displaying a sign in your yard (pick one up at the Customer Service Offices, 1395 35th Ave., Monday- Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. -11:30 a.m.) 9 W atch for leaking or broken faucets, pipes and sprinkler heads and repair them immediately. 10 B ecome a water conservation ambassador. Tell others what you are doing to save water and encourage them to do the same. Learn more at www.SpareSacWater.org.