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Water Conservation

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Explore Ways to Save Water and Money

We know our community cares about water. Generations of focus on water supply planning, investments in diverse local water sources, and the support that comes from a community that embraces water conservation, are why the City of San Luis Obispo remains water-secure and resilient. The City’s current water use of about 4,700 acre-feet of water per year is a stark reduction from pre-drought (2011-2015) water use of over 5,500 acre-feet per year. In fact, the community’s total potable water use today is actually substantially lower than it was back in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, despite population growth over this time period. Overall water conservation efforts undertaken by the community have reduced long-term water use by over 15% community wide.

The City is constantly looking for ways to conserve water, reduce water loss within the community, secure new water supplies, and build greater resiliency into our treatment plant and distribution system. Although we currently remain water secure, we always encourage the community to keep water conservation in the front of their minds to help preserve our most precious resource. Keep reading to learn more about how you can help conserve water!

Ways the City helps residents save water:

Providing complimentary conservation items
Partnering with Rachio to offer discounted smart irrigation controllers
Providing a water rebate program to help residents upgrade their home to water-efficient devices

Learn more below!

Complimentary Water Conservation Items (Expand to Learn More!)

Did you know resident of the City of San Luis Obispo can pick up complimentary water saving items as a part of the City’s water conservation program? See which conservation items we are currently providing below. Conservation items can be picked up from our downtown office at 879 Morro Street during open business hours.

Low-flow Showerhead

Reduce the power in your shower and save water immediately with this 3 settings low-flow showerhead. This showerhead provides efficient flows at 1.25, 1.5, or 1.75 GPM.

Dual Spray Faucet Aerator with Pause Valve

These faucet aerators save 32% more water than standard faucets and have two flow settings. An integrated pause valve also allows users to reduce flows to a trickle while keeping temperature consistent.

Adjustable Faucet Aerator

Customize your faucet with an adjustable faucet aerator that allows for 0.5, 1.25, or 1.5 GPM flows.

Save Water Poster

Remind your guests and customers to help save water with this water conscious poster! Customers can request copies in 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14 inch sizes. Frame not included.

Water Conservation Flow Meter Bag

commercial kitchen spray rinse valve

Shower and Faucet Flow Meter Bag

Water Flow Rate Bags help determine how much water a fixture uses. These tools come in handy if you are not sure if your appliance is low flow!

Kitchen Spray Rinse Valve

This pre-rinse spray valve produces a vigorous spray pattern for high performance while only using 0.68 GPM. Certified by the Food Services Technology Center, its solid brass fittings prevent leaks, simply design means equipment-free installation, and always-on handle clip enables constant flow, if needed.

Dish Squeegee

Skip the pre-rinse and save water by simply pushing food off your dishes and into the garbage can or compost bin before putting dishes into the dishwasher. According to the National Resources Defense Council, we waste up to 27 gallons of water per dishwasher load when we pre-rinse dishes.

Leak Detection Dye Tablets

Did you know a leaky toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water per year? Identify leaky toilet tanks with these dye tablets. Think you might have a leaky flapper but don't have time to stop by and pickup these tablets? Simply put a couple of drops of food dye into your toilet’s water tank. Wait 30 minutes and, if you see any food color-dyed water has made its way into the bowl, you know the flapper is not sealing properly.

Seven-Spray Hose Nozzle

Cut water waste by using a hose nozzle in your yard. This seven-spray setting nozzle allows your to customize the intensity needed for every job.

Garden Hose Timer

This lawn and garden hose timer will help you conserve water. With this tool, you can set a timer that automatically shuts your garden hose off. It can be set for a range of 1-120 minutes depending on your plants needs!

We've Let It Go, California Gold landscape sign

'This Landscape is Water-Wise' Sign

Do you have a beautiful, low-water-use landscape or do you know someone who does? Help spread awareness of water-wise landscaping with a complimentary landscape sign. To see if your landscape qualifies, email UT_Services@slocity.org.

'We've Let It Go, California Gold' Sign

If you are helping conserve water by letting your lawn go 'California Gold', pick up a complimentary sign!

Please remember, California needs trees, and trees need water. If you are letting your lawn go 'California Gold', please make sure to maintain your trees.

Don't see an item that could help save water? We love to know what the community is interested in! Email ut_services@slocity.org or call (805) 781-7215 to suggest items you would want to see added to our list.

Discounted Smart Sprinkler Controller

Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller

City of San Luis Obispo customers can purchase the 8-zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller at a discounted price of $169.99+tax (normally $199.99). Discounts are also available on the larger 16-zone controller at $212.49+tax (normally $249.99). The partnership between the City of San Luis Obispo and Rachio offers customers personalized watering, automatic weather adjustments, and category-leading smart watering technology at a reduced cost. This offer is part of the City’s Water Conservation Program to help residential customers reduce their water consumption.

How does it work?

The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller replaces your existing timer for improved watering performance. Easily install the device in 30 minutes or less with guided instructions in the app. Then personalize your watering schedule to balance your landscape’s needs. Monitor and control your watering system from anywhere using your smartphone. Rachio uses exclusive Weather Intelligence™ Plus to automatically adjust irrigation schedules to account for rain or wind, preventing water waste!

How do I claim my Rachio 3 offer?

Go to rachio.com/redeem
Enter your name, email, and zip code
Select City of San Luis Obispo from the dropdown list
Choose your controller size: 8-zone or 16-zone
Add an optional $39.99 weatherproof enclosure if mounting the controller outdoors
Click "Redeem Offer"

Water-use Data Analysis

The Utilities Department is in the process of implementing a GIS-based mapping tool designed to provide small-scale water use analyses to aid in improving water conservation efforts in the City. The tool incorporates satellite imagery, land use, demographic, consumption, and hydrologic data to determine per capita water-use efficiency metrics and will allow the Department to better allocate staff resources in ongoing efforts to improve resiliency of the City’s water supply portfolio.

Waterline Replacement Projects

During the 2020 Water Year (October 2019 – September 2020), the City completed replacement of over 3,000 linear feet of waterline on Casa, Stenner, and Murray Streets surrounding Sierra Vista Hospital at a cost of approximately $1.7 million. Replacement of water distribution pipes and related facilities is an ongoing program aimed at addressing aging, substandard, and deteriorating infrastructure. Waterline breaks occur with more frequency with aging infrastructure, which result in disruptive and expensive emergency repairs. The main objectives of this program are to ensure reliable water service, reduce the need for emergency repairs, and to enhance available fire flows.

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

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