CONSERVATION TIP: Don't water the lawn on windy days. There's too much evaporation and can waste up to 300 gallons in one watering.
Water is a precious commodity. Annual rainfall in Indio is approximately three inches per year. Due to the dry climate, rapid population growth over the last few years and projected population growth, it is essential that the businesses and residents conserve water. Staff has developed a phased Water Conservation Program that could be implemented during the next two years.
Below is a list of water conservation programs implemented by the Indio Water Authority:
The Water Smart Landscaping Rebate Program
The Indio Water Authority offers a rebate to customers who replace grass with water-efficient landscaping. The rebate offers homeowners $1 per square foot up to $750.00 for converting their front lawn to water smart landscaping. Commercial facilities qualify for up to a $1,500.00 rebate. 
Since the program was implemented in July 2008, the Indio Water Authority has converted a total of 19,370 square feet of landscape and has issued a total of $19,000 in rebates. Pictured right is a typical conversion for a single-family house.
More rebates are still available! Please click here to print the Landscape Rebate Application or call 760.391.4129 for more information.
Landscape Audits
As part of the Water Smart Landscaping Program, residents and business can call the Environmental Hotline at 760.391.4129 to schedule a free landscape audit. Audits are designed to identify potential leaks, recommended water conservation devices, assess irrigation efficiency, and to determine the proper landscape water schedule. You will learn about basic that could save water with the systems you currently have. Tips on water conservation are also provided.
Nuisance Water and Water Wasters
The Indio Water Authority actively tracks nuisance water that runs down streets from properties in the City. As these properties are identified the owners are contacted and water waster notices are distributed. If the problem persists from the same property, code enforcement may become involved.
Education and Outreach
The Indio Water Authority offers free outreach to any school in Indio. A team from the Agency will visit the school and talk to the students about where our water comes from, water conservation and other environmental programs the City of Indio currently offers.
Conservation Programs
Outdoor Conservation Program: Many of the current rebate and educational programs offered by 
the Indio Water Authority are concentrated on reducing outdoor water use because 70-80% of a households or business water use is outdoors. Therefore, the Indio Water Authority offers a smart controller rebate program to customers for replacing standard landscape controllers with new smart controllers. The new controllers calculate the change in weather and adjust sprinkler times accordingly; thereby reducing the amount of water used on your sprinkler system. For more information download the Water Smart Conservation Programs Brochure.
Indoor Conservation Programs: These programs will include a residential plumbing retrofits, high-efficiency washing machine rebates, and residential ultra-low-flush toilet replacements. Look for these programs to be available in Winter 2009.
Landscape and Water Conservation Ordinance
To address the misuse of water and to promote water conservation, the City Council passed a Landscape and Water Conservation Ordinance. The Ordinance outlines conservation measures and guidelines for water efficient irrigation. It also addresses over irrigation and excessive water runoff from properties. Guidelines of the Ordinance can be downloaded by clicking here.
What you can do to Conserve Water
Turn off the water when you brush your teeth - Conserves 3 gallons per day
Shorten your showers by one or two minutes - Conserves 5 gallons per day
Fix leaky faucets - Conserves 20 gallons per day
Wash only full loads of laundry - Conserves 15 to 50 gallons per load
Water your yard only before 8 a.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind - Conserves 25 gallons per day
Install a smart sprinkler controller - Conserves 40 gallons per day
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks - Conserves 150 gallons each time.
Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray or broken sprinkler heads - Conserves 500 gallons a month.
Check out the Water Use it Wisely website for more tips on how you and your family can conserve water.
