Southern California Green Real Estate Blog

HANDHELD HOSES ANYTIME VS. THE 20 GALLON CHALLENGE

HANDHELD HOSES ANYTIME VS. THE 20 GALLON CHALLENGE

   As you may or may not be aware, we are headed for a worldwide water shortage. Southern California has adopted their 20 gallon challenge. The enchanting Kapiti Coast District of New Zealand is located a 50 minute drive north of the country’s capital city of Wellington on the country’s North Island and they have come up with some of their own unique water solutions.A little background

The rate of growth of the Kapiti Coast District is among the highest in New Zealand, placing demand on the water supply. The Waikanae River is the principal source of water for this area and responsible water use programs have been in place during the summer season since 1990. These incorporate education, publicity, water use restrictions, monitoring of illegal usage, metering of reticulation and reservoirs, and leak detection. 

The Council has sufficient water resources available to meet the public health and fire-fighting needs of the community at all times, but there is not sufficient water to permit unrestricted garden irrigation.

They came up with a simple rule: 

Handheld Hoses Anytime

Unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems are not permitted at any time throughout the year.  And how is Santa Monica doing with our 20 Gallon Challenge? 20 Gallon Challenge Tips for Indoor Water Savings -> Estimated Water Savings + Rebates * Run the dishwasher only when full. -> 2.5 gallons per load* Turn off water while rinsing dishes. ->  2.5 gallons per minute* Turn off water while brushing teeth. -> 2 gallons per minute* Shorten showers. -> 2.5 gallons per minute* Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket. -> 2 gallons per flush* Wash only full loads of clothes. -> 15-50 gallons per load* Fix leaky toilets. -> 30-50 gallons per day per toilet* Fix leaky faucets.  -> 15-20 gallons per day per leak* Install aerators with flow restrictors on all sink faucets. ->  5 gallons per day* Replace older, inefficient clothes washers  ->  20-30 gallons per load +  $100 rebate available. For rebate information, visit www.smepd.org  or call toll free (866) 728-3229.* Replace older, high-volume flushing toilets  -> 2-4 gallons per flush + $35-$245 rebate.For rebate information, visit www.smepd.org  or call toll-free (866) 728-3229. More Information • For more ideas on how to save water in and around your home, visit www.smepd.org or www.h2ouse.org.• For rebate information visit, www.smepd.org or call toll-free (866) 728-3229.• For landscape grant information, visit www.smepd.org/landscape  or call toll-free (866) 728-3229.• For information on water waste due to leaks, visit the WaterWise drip calculator at www.bewaterwise.com. 

GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SOLAR IS SCHEDULED TO END IN 2008

GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SOLAR IS SCHEDULED TO END IN 2008 Take note that Solar Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2008. Several members of Congress have stated they will introduce legislation to extend the credit. But until they do, 2008 is the  last year to take advantage of these credits.

SAN FRANCISCO’S SUPER SOLAR INCENTIVE PLAN

SAN FRANCISCO’S SUPER SOLAR INCENTIVE PLAN

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has approved a new local subsidy for residents and businesses who install solar power.  The solar incentive plan, which is expected to win final approval from The San Francisco Board of Supervisors later this month, would provide between $3,000 and $5,000 for a home installation and up to $10,000 for businesses. With existing state and federal incentives, the city subsidy could eliminate more than half the cost of a solar installation.

“It’s groundbreaking,” said San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, co-chair of the city’s year-old Solar Task Force, which developed the plan. “I think it will help ensure that San Francisco is going to be the  solar capital of the world.”

The first year would be funded with $3 million in revenue from the city’s Hetch Hetchy electricity-generating dams. The subsidy would be retroactive to Dec. 16, for those who installed solar after the December announcement of the plan, and applications may be submitted after the supervisors give their approval, said Barbara Hale, PUC assistant general manager of power.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/09/BAG3UUBSL9.DTL

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Commercial Water Conservation Rebates

Commercial Water Conservation Rebates

The department of Water and Power wants to motivate you to conserve water by enticing you with rebates.