EMWD offers free drip kits to convert irrigation areas

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Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is offering free residential drip kits for qualifying customers to help convert landscape irrigation areas from spray to drip irrigation.

The program is funded in part through a nearly $70,000 grant from the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) WaterSmart program.

Each drip kit is valued at approximately $245 and includes pressure regulators, drip tubing, connectors and emitters. The kit provides enough material to convert between 250-400 square feet of planter beds to highly-efficient drip irrigation, which can save up to 60 percent of water per station when compared to traditional spray irrigation.

Customers will also receive a DVD providing installation instructions and maintenance tips.

Customers who wish to participate may contact EMWD to request a voucher for the kits, which may be redeemed at Imperial Irrigation Supply in Menifee. There is a limit of two kits per customer and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, or to submit an application, please visit www.emwd.org/dripkit.

Turf Removal Funding Increased to $2 Per Square Foot

EMWD customers are eligible to receive $2 per square foot when they remove grass at their homes and businesses after regional funding opportunities were recently doubled.

The popular turf removal program funded by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) – of which EMWD is a member agency – will provide funding of $2 per square foot beginning April 1, 2019.

In addition to the increased funding, the program has undergone administrative changes to assist customers, including:

-- Increasing the maximum square footage to 5,000 square feet for residential projects and 50,000 square feet for commercial, industrial and institutional users;

-- Decreasing the number of replacement plants required to three plants per square foot; and

-- Residential customers are no longer required to remove turf from their front yard first, allowing them to first re-landscape their back yards.

Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis and up to $50 million in applications will be accepted each year. Customers may apply for the funding and see a full list of program guidelines at www.bewaterwise.com.

“Many of our customers have asked us when the funding would be increased, and our partners at Metropolitan have stepped up to provide that additional financial assistance,” EMWD President Ron Sullivan said. “We hope that our customers take advantage of this increased funding opportunity to help transform their landscapes and do their part to become more efficient at their homes and businesses.”

EMWD Honored for Outstanding Customer Communications

EMWD this month was honored with two awards for outstanding communications through the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO).

During its annual awards event on April 10, EMWD was honored with two awards at the level of Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) – the top prize in each category. EMWD was recognized for its Water Tax Education, as well as its Healthy Sewer campaign.

EMWD earned the highest marks in the “Dollar Stretcher” category for its Water Tax Education. EMWD was among the statewide leaders in educating customers about the potential Water Tax and in proposing alternative, tax-free solutions to the issue of providing safe and reliable drinking water to areas that have failing systems. The Dollar Stretcher category highlights creative local government communications activities completed with little or no funds.

EMWD also earned the top award in the “Communications/Marketing Plans, In-House, Large Population” category for its Healthy Sewers campaign, which was developed to educate customers about the importance of doing their part to maintain a healthy sewer system.

“Communicating with and educating our customers is a top priority,” said Sullivan. “The EMWD Board is proud that the District has been recognized for its efforts to engage our communities and partners in understanding the services EMWD provides.”

CAPIO is a statewide professional organization dedicated toward advancing public sector communications through training, education and advocacy work. EMWD has previously been honored by CAPIO, by the Public Relations Society of America, and by J.D. Power and Associates for its industry-leading communications efforts.

Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to approximately 827,000 people living and working within a 555-square mile service area in western Riverside County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency and its mission is “To deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.