Conservation

Conservation

Overview

Water is our most precious resource, and we must use it wisely to protect its availability for today and future generations.

Outdoor Water-Use Efficiency Tips

Lawns

  • Limit lawn irrigation based on Stage 2 drought restrictions (Cypress Ridge, Edna Road, Los Osos and Nipomo only).

  • Turn off lawn irrigation systems during rainy periods, and avoid watering during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation.

  • Avoid watering your lawn on windy days to limit overspray and evaporation.

  • Survey your lawn irrigation system and fix any sprinklers, valves and lines that may be damaged or leaking water.

  • Check to make sure sprinklers are positioned to irrigate your lawn and not your sidewalk, driveway or gutters.

  • Install a weather-based smart irrigation controller and water-efficient sprinkler heads (rebates available).

  • While hand watering your lawn, focus on dry spots and pay close attention to avoid runoff.

Gardens & Trees

  • Water gardens based on Stage 2 drought restrictions (Cypress Ridge, Edna Road, Los Osos and Nipomo only).

  • Turn off garden irrigation systems during rainy periods, and avoid watering during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation.

  • Install a drip irrigation system for your garden, shrubs and trees.

  • Deep water trees no more than twice a month in the summer and less in the winter.

  • Add mulch around trees and plants to limit evaporation and regulate soil temperature.

  • Landscape your garden with California-friendly and drought tolerant plants. 

  • Survey your garden irrigation system and fix any sprinklers, valves and lines that may be damaged or leaking water.

  • Install a weather-based smart irrigation controller and water-efficient sprinkler heads (rebates available).

General Outdoor Water Use

  • When washing cars, use a bucket of water with a quick hose rinse at the end and make sure your hose has a shutoff nozzle. When possible, take your car to a car wash that recycles its water.

  • Avoid using drinking water to wash driveways and sidewalks. Use a broom instead.

  • Turn off and drain your decorative water fountain or feature during the drought.

  • Use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation and keep your pool clean.

  • Check and fix any leaks on your outdoor hose bibs. Use a shutoff nozzle whenever using a hose.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping

What works the best for your landscape

Indoor Water-Use Efficiency Tips

Bathrooms
  • Survey your bathroom plumbing and fix any faucets or plumbing fixtures that may be leaking.
  • Fix leaky toilets. Put 3 or 4 drops of food coloring in your toilet tank and wait 15 minutes, any color that appears in the bowl without flushing indicates a leak.
  • Install high-efficiency shower heads and faucet aerators (available for free from Golden State Water).
  • Choose a short shower over a bath. A bath can use up to 70 gallons of water.
  • Capture the cool water in your shower and faucets while waiting for hot water. Use the water on your plants.
  • Keep showers to 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
Kitchens
  • Survey your kitchen plumbing and fix any faucets or plumbing fixtures that may be leaking.
  • Wait to run full loads of laundry and dishes.
  • When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink instead of letting the water run.
  • Scrape dishes into the garbage instead of running your garbage disposal.
  • Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator to beat the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
  • Wash vegetables and fruits in a pan of water instead of under running water. Use the rinse water on your plants.
  • Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
  • Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.

Additional Resources

Special Offers

Upcoming Events

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Conservation Rebates & Programs

Golden State Water encourages customers to use water responsibly and offers several conservation rebates and programs. To help improve your water-use efficiency and control water bills, we are pleased to provide programs and incentives to help our residential and commercial customers use water more efficiently and protect its availability for today and future generations.

Residential

Landscape and other related rebates

Commercial

Landscaping, Multi-Family and Commercial Rebates
  • Golden State Water provides high-efficiency showerheads and kitchen/bath aerators to multifamily customers. Email: conservation@gswater.com with your account information for more information.

Some offers are provided by regional partners. Be sure to check if you qualify first before applying and pre-approval may also be required. To learn about the residential/commercial rebates and programs available near you, click your service area from the related links below.

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Water Conservation School

Golden State Water encourages customers to use water efficiently and remain diligent with conservation efforts.

Now, customers who have incurred allocation surcharges or had a flow restrictor installed on their property have the opportunity to participate in the free, one-time Water Conservation School to learn about water-use efficiency, drought conditions, mandatory regulations, how to manage water at your property, read a water meter, find and fix leaks, and more.

Webform

Report Water Waste

Golden State Water Company appreciates anyone reporting instances of water waste within the communities we serve. If you’ve observed water wastage, please inform us by filling out the form below. This information will only be shared with authorized enforcement officials.