Since up to 70% of California's residential water supply is used for home landscaping, installation of outdoor water-saving devices can help homeowner save water and money. Here are some IRWD rebates that will help homeowners reduce outdoor water use.

Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers (WBICs) automatically adjust the irrigation schedules and the amount of water used per irrigation to match weather conditions and plants types. Using WBICs c can save the homeowner over 13,500 gallons of water per year.

Rotating Spray Nozzles apply water to yards in a slow, uniform way. This prevents over-watering and uses 20% less water than conventional spray heads. Rebates start at $4 per nozzle. A minimum purchase of 15 nozzles is required.

Turf Removal Rebate Program allows homeowner to receive $2 per square foot of turf removed. To qualify, at least 250 feet of turf must be remove. There is no maximum. Note: If you can’t participate in turf removal (for example, your HOA will not allow it), this article provides some tips: “5 Tips for a Water-Wise Lawn”.

Rain Barrels collect rainwater from gutters and downspouts. The rainwater can then be used to water plants and lawns. Rainwater is preferred by plants because the water is free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. The microbes in the soil, which are a key to healthy plants, benefit from irrigation water that is chemical-free. Rebates start at $75 per rain barrel.

Soil Moisture Sensors measure the water content in the root zone of the soil. The sensor must be connected to an irrigation system controller that can receive signals from the sensor. With this connection in place, the irrigation system will skip a scheduled watering cycle if the soil water content is more than the user-defined amount. Rebates are $380 (<1 acre) or $25 (>1 acre).

Note: In Brad Lancaster's book Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, you can find some projects that, if implemented, will reduce water use on your property. It is available for check out through the Orange County Library system.