Heating water for bathing, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. is the second biggest energy user in our homes. In addition, capturing, cleaning and distributing water to our homes as well as treating our wastewater after it goes down the drain requires a tremendous amount of energy. Conserving water is an easy and effective way to reduce our contribution to climate change. Below are many resources to support you in conserving water.  

CITY RESOURCES
For detailed information on the resources listed below, visit http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=397

Home Water Survey (for high water users) - A water conservation specialist will make a house-call to evaluate your water use indoors and outdoors. We’ll provide site-specific recommendations to help you save water and control your utility bill.

Toilet Rebate Program - Receive up to $150 for replacing an existing toilet that uses 3.5 gallons or more in your home with a qualifying High Efficiency Toilet (1.28 gallons of water per flush or less). 

High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program - Get a $100 rebate and save money and energy when you purchase a water-efficient, ENERGY STAR labeled clothes washer.

Plumbing Fixture Retrofit Regulations - All residential buildings are required to be retrofitted with low water using toilets and showerheads when real estate is sold. 

Free Water Conservation Materials and Information - The Water Conservation Office has showerheads, faucet aerators, dye tabs to check for leaking toilets, and many excellent booklets on water wise gardening, all available free of charge. Come by the Water Conservation Office at 212 Suite Locust Suite B, Santa Cruz to pick up what you need.

• Showerheads- Low-flow, 2.0 gallon per minute showerheads with adjustable flow pattern. Save water and energy!
• Kitchen faucet aerators- Low-flow, 2.2 gallon per minute kitchen aerators with an easy-to-use lever to adjust the flow of water without changing the hot/cold mix. Made of chrome-plated brass.
• Bathroom faucet aerators- Low-flow, 1.5 gallon per minute aerators of chrome plated brass.
• Toilet tank leak detection dye tablets- Toilets are the most common source of indoor leaks. These non-toxic dye tablets will help you check to see if your toilet has a leak. Drop a tablet into the toilet tank. Wait a few minutes. If blue color appears in toilet bowl, you have a leak to repair.  
• Garden hose shut-off nozzles- Multiple spray patterns. Saves water by cutting off hose water that would run if left unattended.
• Garden Hose Timer- Manual spring timer has settings from 15 to 120 minutes.  Ideal for timing use of hose end sprinklers.
• Practical Plumbing Handbook- This booklet gives an overview of preventive maintenance and explains some of the ways you can conserve water while keeping your home in tip-top condition. We have a Spanish version too.
• Shower Timer- Five minute timer, works like an egg-timer. Helps change shower habits from long to short. Suction cup holds plastic timer to shower wall.
• Lawn Watering Gauge- Measure your sprinkler system output and use in conjunction with lawn watering guide to find out how long to water your lawn.
• Lawn Watering Guide- This simple handout shows how to determine the proper watering times for your lawn according to the season.
• Water Wise Gardening Literature- We have a wide variety of beautifully illustrated publications about water-wise gardening available just for asking.

School Education Program- We work with local school districts and teachers to provide instructional assistance, educational materials, classroom presentation and field trips to help education our students about water and related environmental topics. Materials are designed to meet state education framework requirements and are available to local schools free of charge.

Water Waste Regulations- To report water waste, please contact the Water Conservation Office at (831) 420-5230. It helps us resolve matters quickly if you can provide specifics (such as the exact location, the nature of the problem, and how long the situation has been observed).