Irrigation Maintenance and Landscape Care

Irrigation

Visit San Dieguito Water District's Drought page to ensure your property is in compliance with current water-use restrictions.

Do-It-Yourself Tips for Irrigation System Maintenance

• Run your irrigation system once a month to ensure there are no leaks, breaks, or runoff issues. Learn how to irrigate efficiently and troubleshoot irrigation system and sprinkler issues.
• Use the watering index and calculator to create a landscape watering schedule.
• If your property has runoff issues due to slopes or hard soil, try the cycle and soak method of irrigation as demonstrated in this video from Orange County. Also check out information on low head drainage to prevent water runoff as your irrigation system turns off.
• Learn how to program your irrigation controller and make sure you adjust it seasonally or when it's raining.
• Check out the EPA's guides on microirrigation- available for both irrigation professionals and homeowners.

Visit these sites for more information on maintaining irrigation systems:

Visita Salve Nuestra Agua para algunas grandes ideas sobre el ahorro de agua, en el interior y exterior de su hogar.

Trees and Landscape

• The State of California provides tips for tree care: Save Our Water and Our Trees.
• Check out this infographic on How to Help Your Trees Survive the Drought.
• Learn why trees are so important from the California Urban Forests Council.
• Prioritize your landscape needs- learn How to Garden in a Drought.
• View the Homeowner's Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape.
• Be water-wise with these tips to Reduce Turf and Plant Trees.

Turf Replacement

• Check out our Rebates and Incentives page for information on rebates available for turf replacement.
• Take a look at these free landscape design templates from the San Diego County Water Authority.
• Learn about available classes and workshops and view online class presentations from the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program.
• Consult the Nifty 50 brochure to make sure you're only planting non-invasive, drought-tolerant plants.

Visit these sites for more information on classes, workshops, and landscape design and maintenance:
                     

Graywater

For information on installing graywater systems in Encinitas, please visit the City's Planning Division.

HOA Landscape Laws

Since the Governor's Declaration of drought in 2014, legislation protecting homeowner rights to have water efficient landscapes have been enacted:
AB-349
AB-2100
AB-2104

HOA Prohibitions Fact Sheet from the State Water Resources Control Board (updated May 8, 2017)

Additional Resources:

San Diego Botanic Garden
The Water Conservation Garden