1. How can I save more water from what I used last year?

Typically more than 50% of residential water use is outdoors. To reduce consumption, adjusting how your landscape is watered will provide the greatest savings. Of course, replacing your home’s older, water-wasting fixtures will help too. Schedule a Water-Wise House Call to learn how to make those sprinkler adjustments and other ways to save water.

2. How do I know if I have a leak?

If you have a water meter, the quickest way to determine if you have a leak is to check the low-flow indicator on your meter. To do this, be sure all water is turned off both indoors and out. After you’re certain all water is turned off, look at the low-flow indicator on your meter. If the small blue or red wheel is turning – even if it’s turning slowly – you have a leak. Schedule a Leak Investigation to learn how to check for leaks.

3. How do I know what plants are drought tolerant?

SSWD has water efficient landscape (WEL) gardens that feature low water use plants, trees and grasses located at the SW corner of Eden Ct. and Root Ave., at the American River Parkway Foundation Volunteer Center at William Pond Park, and at the NE parking lot of Howe Park off of Bell Ave.  Each location has descriptions and information about the benefits of low-water use plants, and landscape plan idea for your own property.  For more information, contact our water conservation team!

4. How do I keep water from going into the gutter?

Eliminating gutter flooding can be very tricky depending on the cause.  To check what could be causing the gutter flooding turn on your sprinklers one station at a time and look for sprinklers that are misdirected on to the driveway or sidewalk and redirect them to the intended area.  Also, check your sprinkler run times.  Most lawns in the Sacramento area need about 5-10 minutes of water twice per day in the morning or evening.  Any longer and the soil may become so saturated that it cannot hold anymore water causing the water to run off into the gutter.  Efficient outdoor watering is the key to eliminating water runoff. Schedule a Water-Wise House Call with one of our trained professionals. They will evaluate your soil and turf type, assess any slopes in your yard and develop a watering schedule customize to meet your lawn and garden needs.  This service is provided at no direct cost to you!

5. How much does it cost to fill a pool?

The cost of water for filling swimming pool is based on two factors: the capacity of the pool and the unit cost of the water. Each unit of water represents 748 gallons. The District has a two tiered volumetric rate structure that charges $0.98 per unit for the first 10 units of water and $1.28 per unit of water thereafter.  If your pool holds 25,000 gallons of water, divide that number by 748 gallons to calculated the number of units your pool holds (25,000 ÷ 748 = 33 units of water). Multiply the units of water by the volumetric unit cost of water based on the District's 2 tier rate structure:

First 10 units of water = $0.98 per unit = 10 x 0.98 = $9.80

Each unit >10 of water = $1.28 per unit = 23 x 1.28 = $29.44

Total volumetric cost of water to fill a 25,000 gallon pool would be $9.80 + $29.44 = $39.24

6. Does the District offer rebates? How do I obtain one?

The District does offer rebates for various upgrades. Check out the Water Conservation Rebates page for availability.

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