Water Efficiency

Helpful information, rebates, and programs to help Citrus Heights Water District customers conserve water and reduce costs.

Need help? Contact us at (916) 725-6873 or waterefficiency@chwd.org

Lawn Sprinkler
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WaterSmart Classes

Young Seedling

Throughout the year, CHWD offers a series of WaterSmart Landscape classes to our customers. These free classes are full of tips and tools to help residents increase their water efficiency. To find the next available WaterSmart class or view past class videos and resources, please visit our Community page.

 

Free Irrigation Efficiency Review

Sprinkler System

CHWD can arrange a FREE Landscape Irrigation Review to help you manage and maintain your irrigation system. Upon completion of the Review, you will receive a written report that includes recommendations for improving your system’s performance and a 12-month irrigation schedule based upon your personal landscape needs. To sign up, fill out the form below or call us at (916) 725-6873.

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Rebates & Programs

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CHWD offers rebates and programs to help you reduce water use and save.

Rachio Timer Basics

Rachio Smart Irrigation Timer

Smart Controllers make watering with the weather easy! Water efficiency expert, Linden Nies from Imagine Landscapes and Design walks through the basics of using your Rachio Irrigation Controller to properly program your irrigation systems to automatically adjust to the dry and rainy seasons.

B-Hyve Timer Basics

B-Hyve Smart Irrigation Meter

Expert Linden Nies makes the set-up of your B-Hyve Smart Irrigation Controller as easy as 1-2-3. Be water efficient all year long by programming and using your Smart Controller!

Demonstration Garden

Planting Day

Planting day at the CHWD demonstration garden showcases water efficiency tips that you can use at home. Our water efficient experts show you how to install drip irrigation from the ground up for your own thriving garden.

CHWD Demonstration GardenWater-Efficient Gardening Tips and Tools

Water Usage Calculator

Our helpful Water Usage Calculator translates CHWD’s water units into gallons per day to help you better understand and compare your water use.

Water Efficiency Tips

Water use outside the home can account for more than 60 percent of the water we use. For most customers, the most effective way to reduce water use is to significantly reduce outdoor watering. Here are some simple things you can do to be more water efficient both inside your home and in your yard.

Most experts recommend infrequent deep watering to promote a healthy landscape and efficient watering. Reduce your watering time and frequency during cooler weather and during the spring and fall when days are shorter. Most common landscaping will survive during winter months with your irrigation system shut off entirely. If you must water, do so infrequently and monitor your watering to prevent overwatering and run-off.

Keeping your lawn a little longer (about three inches high) during summer months will keep it healthier because there is more surface area on the grass and the longer blades help reduce the amount of water it needs by providing more shade to the soil. This is also the best time to mulch your lawn, rather than bag mow, as it will provide additional shade and reduces the amount of water your lawn needs.

Applying mulch to plants and shrubs helps to keep the soil cooler in the summer months, and reduces water evaporation.

Read the instructions on how to most efficiently water your shrubs and plants and adjust your watering as needed. Most shrubs and plants – particularly rose bushes – require significantly less water than your lawn.

Leaks in your system will cost you money. Leaks commonly include running toilets and broken sprinkler heads. Inspect your pipes, both indoors and outdoors, for evidence of leaks. If any are leaking, we ask that you repair them immediately, saving you both water and money. A continuous leak from a hole as small as ¼ inch in diameter would waste more than one million gallons of water in three months.

Please note that the following graphic is for comparative purposes only. Due to differences in computer monitors, the circles on the graphic do not represent actual sizes.

Water Leak Chart

A faucet dripping at the rate of only one drip per second will waste 34 gallons of water in a month’s time.   Toilets that leak and run continuously will waste considerably more water.   Fixing these leaks will save water and money.

If your home or business does not already have water-efficient toilets, now is a great time to consider having them installed.   CHWD offers rebates to help offset the cost, and these toilets can save the typical household up to 650 gallons of water each month.

No matter how efficient your dishwasher or washer machine is, running it half full wastes twice the water. Load them up to reduce and save.

Instead, fill part of the sink with warm soapy water and keep the water turned off while scrubbing.

Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save 2.5 gallons per minute if you have a water-efficient showerhead. And if you don’t have a water-efficient showerhead, now is a great time to get one.

Each time someone leaves the water running while they brush their teeth or shave, gallons of water go down the drain. Think of it this way: a family of four who diligently turns off their faucet every time they brush their teeth could save 11,000 gallons a year!

If a pipe bursts, you will be able to shut off the water immediately if you know where your main shut off valve is. If a pipe bursts and you are unable to shut off the water, call CHWD at (916) 725-6873 for assistance.

For information about the District’s free irrigation efficiency review, click here or call (916) 725-6873 to schedule an appointment.

Visit the following links for more water conservation information and tips. 

Save Our Water
Be Water Smart
Regional Water Authority

More Information

Water Droplet in Green Pond

For information about the District’s free irrigation efficiency review, CLICK HERE or call (916) 725-6873 to schedule an appointment.

Visit the following links for more water conservation information and tips:

Frequently Asked Water Usage Questions

To minimize the amount of water that is lost to evaporation, watering should only take place between dusk and dawn.

CHWD is currently not offering any rebates for lawn removal. We may consider this option for the future.

If you see any water being wasted within the CHWD service area, please report it using our report water waste contact form. You can also call the District at (916) 725-6873, Option 6. CHWD will investigate these reports and can disconnect water service if necessary.

CHWD does not currently use recycled water. 

There are currently no restrictions that prohibit the washing of cars. However, hoses must have an automatic shut off valve, and runoff should be directed to landscaped areas of your property when possible. CHWD encourages customers to wash vehicles or other equipment at commercial car washes that use recycled or reclaimed water.

The District requests that pool draining and refilling be limited to health, maintenance, or structural purposes. For more information, please contact the District at (916) 725-6873.

By simply clicking this link and registering your account number, you can view your past water bills, and find your usage.

Water Conservation Stages

CURRENT STATUS: NORMAL

As of April 20, 2023, CHWD has removed water restrictions after a wet winter and a shift in California's drought response. Please click on the linked pdf to review all water conservation stages and requirements.

Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the District’s water conservation programs and rebates. You can learn more about these by visiting www.chwd.org/rebates

For additional information about water efficiency, please contact the District at (916) 725-6873.

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