Water Efficiency Resources for Residential Well Users
Through the Well Aware Program, the Sonoma County GSAs are connecting well users with practical tools and resources to help with groundwater management and sustainability, including tools to increase water use efficiency. Through our trusted partners we are able to offer water saving tools available to all well users, rural residents, small and large farms, vineyards, wineries, and businesses. This Resource Guide is your hub to the programs and resources available to you.
You can also get personalized recommendations for your specific property by using the Well Aware Toolkit!
Ways to Learn
Well Aware Toolkit
The Well Aware Toolkit offers personalized groundwater savings practices based on your parcel’s land use. This interactive tool allows you to explore water saving practices, funding opportunities, or determine experts that can assist.
Do-it-yourself classes and workshops
Daily Acts offers an assortment programs like workshops, tours, webinars, presentations and installations to educate the public on topics including:
- Lawn Replacement
- Graywater Systems
- Rainwater Harvesting and Rain Gardens
- Garden Design and Installation
- Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration
WaterSmart Gardens Maintenance Manual
This free Water Smart Gardens Maintenance Manual is a step-by-step guide on how and why to maintain a low water use landscape. The manual also features a maintenance calendar that illustrates when seasonally important tasks like weeding, pruning and adjustments to irrigation scheduling should occur. Learn more!
Sonoma-Marin Landscape Design Templates
The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership has developed 8 free, scalable, water-efficient, front-yard landscape design templates. These are permit ready with your site specific modifications and user selectable options. Learn more!
Russian River Friendly Landscaping Practices
Russian River-Friendly Landscaping provides information on how to design, construct and maintain landscaping that supports the integrity of the ecosystem. Learn more!
Services and Giveaways
Compost Giveaway
Zero Waste Sonoma offers free compost to Sonoma County residents throughout the year at permanent pickup locations throughout the county and giveaway events. In addition, they offer a 10% rebate for compost and mulch purchases totaling at least 20 cubic yards, up to $25,000 each year. Learn more!
Indoor Residential Toolkit
Indoor residential water assessments can be self-administered using the Do-It-Yourself Energy and Water Savings Toolkit, available for checkout through the Sonoma County Library. The DIY Toolkit provides guidance to conduct an indoor water assessment and includes free-to-install-and-keep high-efficiency plumbing fixtures (showerheads & faucet aerators) and irrigation leak repair parts. Learn more!
Water Savings Inspections and Installations
In Petaluma, through the Land Resilience Partnership Program, Daily Acts is providing technical assistance to 125 residential and public sites. The program provides land-based assessments for all aspects of water use indoor and outdoor. Participants receive a customized catalog of projects, site-specific design, metrics on water savings, infiltration and capture, along with resources on how to Do-It Yourself or seek contractor support. Of these sites, 60 will be chosen for grant-funded installation. Learn more!
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Program
The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program is an EPA WaterSense labeled professional certification in irrigation system audits. Hire a QWEL Professional for all your landscape needs. Learn more!
Planning and Technical Assistance
The LandSmart® Program provides conservation planning, technical assistance, and on the ground projects through partnerships with landowners striving to achieve productive lands and thriving streams. In Sonoma County, it is led by Gold Ridge and Sonoma Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs). Learn more!
URCTA Technical Assistance
The Underrepresented Communities, California Tribes, and Small Farmers Groundwater Technical Assistance (URCTA) Program from the CA Dept. of Water Resources provides groundwater-related technical assistance services to eligible individuals, communities, and Tribes within Sustainable Groundwater Management Act-regulated basins, free of charge. Services include: analysis of groundwater conditions and water quality, water well and pump repairs, needs assessments, soil moisture monitoring, and more. Learn more!