Free Webinars Share Conservation and Landscaping Tips The District hosted 13 online webinars jointly with Cal-Am on conservation topics, including rainwater capture, composting, landscape design, greywater, protecting trees, irrigation basics, and removing lawns. For the 2025 schedule, see montereywaterinfo.org/events/. Staff distributed water conservation devices at various community events, including the Carmel Valley Fiesta, Monterey County Fair, and the West End Celebration. The District posted regular updates on Facebook and Instagram to keep the community informed. As a partner with the Water Awareness Committee for Monterey County, the District participated in presentations at local schools. Public Outreach Keeps Community Educated and Informed To help the public better understand the role of the District in water supply, conservation, and environmental protection on the Monterey Peninsula, the District ran monthly ads in the local newspapers, posted on social media, and produced a regular email newsletter. The District also actively engaged with local media on water supply projects, the public’s acquisition of the Cal-Am water system (Measure J), and other relevant topics. Rebates, Permits, Inspections and Amendments The District approved 1,080 rebate applications for $318,467 for quantifiable annual savings of 7.6 AF of water. Properties transferring ownership continued to self-certify compliance with the water efficiency requirements, and the District verified with Certifications of Compliance. The District issued 731 Water Permits and 94 Water Use Permits to Benefited Properties (i.e., properties eligible to receive a portion of a Water Entitlement). Staff completed 511 property inspections to verify compliance with water efficiency standards for changes of ownership and use and 1,177 inspections to verify compliance with Water Permits. Staff mailed notices to property owners and businesses and conducted 47 Non-Residential property inspections to verify compliance with water efficiency standards. As the regional entity responsible for compliance with State landscaping regulations, the District issued 48 Water Permits for new and refurbished landscapes. A total of 625,284 square feet of new landscape area was permitted. The rehabilitated area totaled 349,578 square feet. The District also approved three Water Distribution System Permit amendments. The Main Cal-Am System was amended to produce 13.0 acre-feet annually of the City of Seaside’s stored water credit under Seaside’s In-Lieu Groundwater Storage Program for the Ascent housing project, now known as “Seagrove.” The second amendment was to increase the number of Connections for five Accessory Dwelling Units and irrigation at Wolters Farm Way in Carmel Valley. The third amendment was to set System Limits and add a Residential Use to the Scarlett WDS Permit. Eleven Confirmation of Exemptions from the Water Distribution System permit requirements were issued for private properties that met the criteria. Summer Splash Challenge Gives Away High-Efficiency Prizes Entries matched the previous year for the 2024 Summer Splash Challenge, a fun family-oriented conservation game sponsored by the District in partnership with Cal-Am. Prizes included a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer, High-Efficiency Dishwashers, an iPad, Home Depot Gift Cards, and VISA Gift Cards. The District launched the game in the summer when children were out of school. The Challenge was to complete an educational gameboard where participants visited the event website and watched water efficiency videos to find the answers to gameboard questions. Look for the 2025 Challenge this summer!
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