Rancho Bernardo resident Fred Montazeri lives on a golf course and is required by his homeowners association to keep his backyard lush and green.
But that’s easier said than done with state and local water restrictions.
Since his last water bill hit $718, Montazeri figured it was time to figure out how to conserve water and save money at the same time. He’s taken advantage of a free residential water survey offered by the city of San Diego.
The surveys are completed by a water conservation specialist who takes a closer look at irrigation systems, toilets, faucets, washers and other areas.
“The whole point of this is just be conscientious of where your water is going and just be a good water steward,” said Kevin Farrer. He says it takes him about an hour to conduct the survey.
In Montazeri’s case, the specialist found that his toilet needed a new flapper to prevent seepage from the tank into the bowl.
The water pressure coming from a bathroom faucet was also a little high, and his irrigation system needed to be adjusted to cut back on outdoor watering.
Local
Montazeri did get high marks for having drought resistance plants in his front yard and a drip water system.
Other tips include installing artificial grass and smart irrigation systems.
“These controllers will actually adjust the water scheduling based off the climate conditions all by themselves, so they don’t wait for you,” said Farrer.
If you’re interested in a free residential water survey, call the city at 619-515-3500 or log on to its website. Current wait times are about two to three weeks.
