SANTA CRUZ — As Santa Cruz reaches the midway point of the City’s “dry” season, Santa Cruz water customers continue to far exceed the state’s mandated goal of 8% conservation over 2013 water use. Santa Cruz water customers in June reduced water use 21% compared to June 2013. This follows a remarkable 29% reduction in May 2016.
This year, Santa Cruz’s water supply conditions did not dictate mandatory rationing or restrictions other than the ongoing prohibitions against water waste. Despite that, Water Department customers continue to conserve significantly more than the state-set goal of 8% over 2013. During June 2016, customers used a total of 257 million gallons of water, 68 million gallons less than the 325 million gallons of water used in June 2013.
Under Governor Brown’s direction, the State Water Resources Control Board in 2015 set water conservation targets for each water supplier in California, ranging from 8% to 36%. 2013 was used as the base year for comparison. Those communities with a low water use per capita were assigned lower targets, and those communities with high per capita water use were required to cutback proportionately more. Since January, residential per capita water use in Santa Cruz has averaged 45 gallons per day, compared to 72 gallons per person on average statewide.
Available Rebates
Accordingly, the Santa Cruz City Council approved increasing residents’ rebates for lawn removal and for high-efficiency clothes washing machines as part of the City’s Water Conservation Master Plan.
Though Santa Cruz consistently ranks as one of the lowest water consuming communities in the state, the Water Conservation Master Plan was included as one of the recommendations made by the Water Supply Advisory Committee in 2015. The Conservation Master Plan includes increased rebates for the highest efficiency clothes washers and for turf removal.
Beginning July 1, there are now two tiers for washing machine rebates, with the first tier providing a $100 rebate for Energy Star clothes washers, and an increased rebate of $200 for the second tier Energy Star Most Efficient clothes washers.
Also increased are turf removal rebates, up from $ .50 per square foot of turf removed to $1.00 per square foot. Customers are eligible for the increased rebates for washers purchased and turf removed on or after July 1, 2016.
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For complete program information and eligibility requirements, please visit www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/water/conservation/rebates