Water Conservation

Water is a precious resource. That is why the Sonoma County Water Agency, through its Water Conservation Department, develops and implements an array of water conservation programs and rebates. Guided by the Agency's Water Conservation Plan, staff actively promote conservation through countywide programs designed specifically to meet the needs of the Agency's water contractors.

Adopted in June 1999, the Agency's Water Conservation Plan is designed to provide funding to water contractors for cost-effective water conservation measures with the goal of saving 6,600 acre-feet of water annually. The plan allocates $15 million to water conservation programs over the next 10 years, with the money going directly to assist the water contractors in implementing water conservation measures in their service areas. So far, the Agency has funded and distributed over 100,000 free water-conserving showerheads and faucet aerators, retrofitting of 33,000 toilets to low flow, and 1,200 rebates for horizontal-axis, water-efficient washing machines. The Agency, in cooperation with its water contractors, distribute conservation hardware, materials and promote programs in which residents and business owners purchase low water-use appliances.

Water conservation staff work closely with the Sonoma County Economic Development Board to provide conferences for business leaders, and produces water conservation articles for a variety of local and statewide publications. To evaluate success of the water conservation efforts underway by the Agency and to forecast future water demand and water conservation plans, staff also assist in the development of the Urban Water Management Plan.

What's New

Severe dry spring means using less water - SCWA is asking residents, businesses and the agricultural community to reduce water use like last summer.

Less Is More Campaign Launched - Using less water means more water in Lake Mendocino, in Lake Sonoma and the Russian River. View our campaign materials.

HET Rebates - $150 - Get a $150 rebate for replacing your old, 3.5 gallon per flush toilets with a new High-Efficiency Toilet (HET). An HET uses 20% less water than the standard 1.6 gpf toilet without any sacrifice in performance. Rebates are available on qualifying HET models. Learn more about this rebate program.

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program (CLASSES FULL - Waiting List Created - Contact Ali Davidson at 707.547.1933) Landscape water-use represents one of the largest components of urban water demand. Through the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Program, local landscape professionals are making a positive impact towards reducing landscape water demand by becoming more water efficient in landscape design, maintenance, and operation. QWEL provides an educational foundation based on principals of proper plant selection for the local climate, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation. Both WaterSense and QWEL share the common goal of conserving water resources and promoting the importance of water efficiency. With the WaterSense label, QWEL will gain more credibility and visibility to advance their cause. Registration for the QWEL Program is FREE. Contact Ali Davidson, Water Agency Programs Specialist, at 707.547.1933 for more information.