County Launching Program to Reward Water Conservation

The past year has been one of the driest on record for the North Bay.

That’s prompted an initiative by the Sonoma County Water Agency to encourage residents to conserve water, especially during the summer months when water use is typically higher.

Rohnert Park residents who sign up for the agency’s Beat the Heat! 20-Gallon Challenge will be asked to take a pledge to use less water this summer and given tips about how to minimize water usage, such replacing a lawn with less water-intensive plants, watering at night and using a spa and pool cover to prevent evaporation.

For their dedication, residents will have a chance prizes such as a high-efficiency clothes washer, a low-flush toilet or landscape design for their home that utilizes a rain catchment or a graywater system

Rohnert Park's water supply comes from Lake Sonoma via the Russian River, but because of little rain this winter and spring, water levels are significantly reduced.

“We are working closely with all stakeholders in our community including urban water users, the agricultural industry, and business community to immediately reduce water use due to the dry weather conditions,” said Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo and a member of the SCWA Board of Directors. 

To learn more about the challenge and to sign up, check out www.20gallons.org.