Santa Margarita Water District

Operation Conservation

Helping our customers reduce their water usage by 10%.

SMWD's updated Water Conservation Program consists of four stages to respond to the current reduction in the potable water available to the District for our customers.

As of July 1, 2009 SMWD has implemented a "Stage 1" voluntary Conservation Alert

Conservation Stage	Level of Restriction	Projected Savings
» Stage 1	Voluntary	10% «
Stage 2	Mandatory	20%
Stage 3	Mandatory	30%
Stage 4	Mandatory	40%

Image: Operation Conservation Door Hanger
Have You Seen Me?

In July 2009, the District updated its Comprehensive Water Conservation Program and implemented a Stage 1 voluntary "Conservation Alert" in response to the reduction in potable water available to the District for our customers. This conservation alert remains in effect.

SMWD purchases its potable water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Due to statewide drought conditions and environmental challenges, MWD has reduced the amount of water it delivers to the southern California region.

Doing Your Part

It's important for SMWD and its customers to implement simple, everyday water conservation techniques year-round to help save water. Operation Conservation provides the information needed to help meet our 10% water reduction goal.

Watering your lawn and landscape before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. when wind and evaporation are at a minimum.
Water no more than three times per week.
When irrigating lawns and landscape, restrict any runoff onto adjoining sidewalks, driveways or street by testing your irrigation system a minimum of once a month.
Step on your grass to tell if it needs to be watered. If it springs back, skip the water.
Save water by using mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and inhibit weed growth.
Quickly fix any leaks or broken sprinklers.
Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including sidewalks, walkways and driveways wastes water. Instead use a broom.
Use a bucket or self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device to wash or clean a vehicle.