COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Shad Springer, Director of Utilities
DATE: May 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Proclamation - “Water Awareness Month” – May 2025
The City Council will recognize the month of May 2025 as “Water Awareness Month” in the City of Santa Maria.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the Utilities Department, along with other water purveyors, observes the month of May as Water Awareness Month to educate the community and encourage the wise use of water.
DISCUSSION:
The Utilities Department maintains a water awareness and conservation program that includes community outreach, school education, complimentary home water visits, and suspected leak notifications. The objective of the City’s ongoing conservation campaign is to remind the community of the importance of conserving this natural resource.
Historically, water use increases in the month of May as summer approaches, especially for outdoor use. The community can help conserve over the summer by implementing the following tips outdoors and indoors:
Outdoor Conservation Tips
Plant drought-tolerant or drought-resistant plants and trees. Replace grass or turf with water-wise plants.
Recycle indoor water to use on plants.
Refrain from watering landscapes for 48 hours after rainfall. Use a broom to clean driveways, patios, and sidewalks, instead of a hose. Water outdoor landscapes in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler (before 12:00 p.m. and after 4:00 p.m.).
2 Indoor Conservation Tips
Install water-saving devices, such as low-flow showerheads, high-efficiency toilets, and kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators.
Reduce showers by two minutes and save five gallons of water. Turn water off while brushing teeth and save three gallons of water. Fix leaky faucets and save up to 20 gallons of water per day. Wash a full load of laundry (no partial loads) and save 15 to 50 gallons per load.
The City is currently participating in a WaterSMART Landscape Rebate Program, run through the Santa Barbara County Water Agency , with grant funding provided by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The program incentivizes City residential and commercial water customers to replace water-thirsty landscapes and inefficient irrigation systems with water -wise plants and smart irrig ation systems. Qualified projects can receive rebates of up to $1,500 for residential projects and up to $2,500 for commercial and multi-family projects.
Fiscal Considerations
Costs for the water conservation program are within the Utilities Department’s budget allocation for Fund 002 for the current fiscal year.
Impact to the Community
Reducing water use helps residents and businesses save money while preserving this important natural resource.
ATTACHMENT(S) Proclamation – Water Awareness Month