Indio Water Authority Offers Tips to Honor Earth Day

From Indio Water Authority: Earth Day 2018 is fast approaching, on Sunday April 22nd, and this year the Indio Water Authority is offering some tips to help people honor the spirit of Earth Day by saving water. The Indio Water Authority relies on the Whitewater aquifer to supply clean, affordable water to customers. Experts say it’s especially important to conserve water in the desert this year because the state is sliding back toward another drought, as the winter has been quite dry overall despite a few late-season storms in March. A recent national drought reading compiled by the federal government shows that 41 percent of California is still in drought.

One of the most effective ways to conserve water is to install beautiful desert landscaping in your yard, cutting down on water-hungry grass. The IWA’s Commit 2 Conserve program offers $1 a square foot of turf removed, up to $1500 for residential projects. They also offer up to $750 for homeowners to upgrading your watering system to maximize efficiency. And their website has a handy guide to show you how many minutes a week to water during each season, taking into account the type of plant and the method of irrigation (drip, bubbler, spray sprinkler, etc).

The city’s Commit 2 Conserve program also offers residents a rebate of up to $150 for buying water-efficient appliances. A washing machine with a water factor of six or lower will save you on your water bill. And always remember to wash a full load every time. You can also get up to $150 back when you buy a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons or less per flush.

Water savvy families also check for leaks, inside and out, water their lawn at night, and use a commercial carwash that recycles water, rather than running the hose from the driveway.

Indio Water Authority experts are available for interviews regarding water saving tips for Earth Day. Please contact IWA Communications and Outreach Coordinator Scott Trujillo at 760-625-1810 or strujillo@indio.org to make arrangements.

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