Water Conservation
Water is essential to us all but it's a limited resource. We all need to rethink the way we use water on a daily basis whether or not California is in a drought. Conserving water is always important. No matter how full or depleted our reservoirs are, we must always be aware that water is a precious commodity. Regardless of how or why we are using water, we must always use it efficiently and be good stewards in using this resource. Please remember to irrigate only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8:00pm and 6:00am for no longer than 15 minutes per station (Please visit the "RESTRICTIONS" tab for additional information).
The City of Chino is dedicated to partnering with the community to become more water efficient.
No-Cost Water-Efficient Programs
Residential Irrigation System Enhancement (RISE) Program- Now Open!
This program offers you the opportunity to replace your old sprinkler timer with a new, water-efficient device, installed by a landscape professional, as well as improve your sprinkler system's efficiency by fixing broken sprinklers and installing high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles.
What is included:
- An outdoor water use evaluation (Landscape Audit) performed by a certified professional
- Sprinkler system improvements that may include*:
- Sprinkler repair (raise/replace/adjust pop-ups/nozzles)
- Installation of high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles (small devices that are inserted into your existing sprinkler heads)
- Installation of a Hydrawise weather-based irrigation controller
*Funding is limited and restrictions apply. Each site will receive devices based on the evaluation and recommendation from the landscape professional, valued at up to $1,000. Depending on the size of the landscape, the site budget may not allow for all devices listed to be installed. Other options, such as rebates, may be available to further assist customers.
Requirements:
- Must be the homeowner
- Must be a first-time participant (cannot have participated in the Large/Small Site Controller Upgrade or Tune-up Programs within the last five years)
- Must have an operating sprinkler system
Programming is available while funds last.
Sign up today by submitting your Residential Irrigation System Enhancement (RISE) Program Application.
Turf Replacement Program
The intent of the Turf Replacement program is to have homeowners remove their existing grass and to replace it with organic, drought tolerant landscaping. Please note, synthetic turf is not an approved conversion option for this program. Following the success of other incentive programs focusing on landscaping and turf grass removal, the Turf Replacement program aims to combine turf removal, irrigation modification and rainwater retention or filtration to support reuse or soil absorption of rainwater.
Every turf replacement project will include:
- 3 Plants per 100 square feet of area transformed
- A stormwater retention feature
- No hardscape within the transformed area, except permeable hardscape
- Replacement or modification of overhead spray sprinklers
The turf replacement program takes a multi-prolonged approach to maximize water utilization and conservation.
Making Conservation a California Way of Life
The State Water Resources Control Board adopted the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation on July 3, 2024. This regulation implements Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606, which were signed into law in 2018, to develop a regulatory framework to achieve long-term water use efficiency.
This regulation sets new, permanent water use budgets for urban water suppliers, not individual residents, or businesses. Each urban retail water supplier must demonstrate compliance with its urban water use objective beginning January 1, 2027.
The following activities are prohibited at all times:
- Allowing irrigation water to run off into a gutter, ditch, drain, driveway, sidewalk, street or onto pavement or other hard surface.
- Outdoor irrigation of landscape for more than fifteen minutes of watering per day per station. This restriction does not apply to landscapes that utilize drip irrigation systems.
- Automated irrigation of landscape during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Customers are encouraged to avoid the use of sprinklers on windy days. Irrigation by hand held hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles, drip irrigation, or hand held buckets is permitted anytime.
- Outdoor irrigation of landscape on rainy days.
- Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, patios, and alleys, except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards.
- Excess use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks, or other malfunctions in the plumbing system or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected.
- Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment, unless done with a hand held bucket or hand held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.
- Restaurants serving water to their customers, except when specifically requested by their customers.
- Operating a decorative water fountain or feature, built or installed after the adoption of this ordinance, that does not include re-circulated water.
- Operating a commercial car wash or laundry, built or installed after the adoption of this ordinance, that does not use re-circulated water.
- Operating a single-pass cooling system built or installed after the adoption of this ordinance.
Please visit the Water Conservation Guidelines to see a full list of water conservation restrictions.
Water Conservation Tips
Fresh, clean drinking water is yours to use whenever you need it. Water is a valuable resource to all and should not be wasted. Did you know that the average household uses over 162,000 gallons of water annually? So, help conserve water by following the tips listed below:
Indoors
- Check toilets for leaks
- Install Ultra Low Flush Toilets (ULFTs)
- Only flush when needed
- Place a water displacement device in your toilet tank
- Take shorter showers
- Wash in the bathtub. A partially filled tub uses less water than showering
- Turn off the water when shaving or brushing your teeth
- Install water saving showerheads
- Replace washers to prevent dripping faucets
- Check pipes for leaks in the laundry room and kitchen
- Run full loads only in the dishwasher and washing machine
- Fill the sink when washing/rinsing dishes by hand, don't let the water run continuously
- Choose water saving cycles on appliances
- Install water saving devices such as aerators or flow restrictors
- Check pipes, faucets, and fittings for leaks
Outside
- Plant low water consuming plants
- Water lawn only when it needs it
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid wasting water on sidewalks and driveways
- Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants to keep soil moist
- Don't let the hose run while washing cars, animals, etc.
- Use a broom or rake, instead of water to clean sidewalks and driveways
- Install water saving devices, such as a nozzle that can be shut off or adjusted
- Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, and couplings
For More Information
For more information regarding water conservation, please call 909-334-3282
Be Water Wise
Visit the Metropolitan Water District website for conservation information and California Friendly Landscape ideas.
Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA)
Find out what kinds of rebates are currently offered to residents and businesses in the City's service area by visiting the IEUA website. This website also contains water conservation tips and information on the Garden in Every School Program.
Inland Valley Garden Planner
The Inland Valley Garden Planner is designed to help you achieve beautiful, have-it-all gardens that are well suited for our region. Western San Bernardino County's inland valley areas have a Mediterranean climate where a wonderful array of naturally adapted plants can thrive.
Water Education Water Awareness Committee (WEWAC)
WEWAC provides financial support to teachers seeking to do creative classroom projects that increase students' awareness of the importance of water in Southern California. Teachers and educational institutions can also obtain information on how to incorporate water conservation into the regular school curriculum. Find out more on the WEWAC website.
Chino Basin Water Conservation District (CBWCD)
Learn about the Landscape Irrigation Evaluation Program offered to Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional property owners in the City service area on the CBWCD website. The Conservation District also provides various water conservation programs and offers water conservation garden tours.
H2ouse
The H2ouse website uses a graphics based tool to help you identify methods to conserve water in and around your home. Additional information provided on this website includes a water glossary, an educational newsletter, and a water conserving garden guide.
Save Our Water
The Save Our Water website was developed as a joint effort between the California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies to educate Californians on the state's water challenges and how to reduce water consumption every day.
Water Conservation Rebates
SoCal Water$mart is a rebate program offered by the Metropolitan Water District and administered by EGIA. Through the socalwatersmart.com website, you will be able to access the online rebate application, learn about the program rules and regulations. Please visit socalwatersmart.com to learn about the rebates that are available for choosing to save water.