SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency announced Sept. 9 that its Water Efficiency Pilot Program for Rural Residents has expanded to all six subbasins under the agency’s purview, offering free home water efficiency assessments through the end of 2026.
The expansion builds on the program’s work helping homeowners in northern Monterey County over the past year.
“This program supports homeowners and renters by providing personalized recommendations and free devices to help households save money, energy and water,” said Piret Harmon, general manager of SVBGSA. “The program is one part of the larger efforts by SVBGSA to support the long-term health of groundwater in the Salinas Valley.”
The Water Efficiency Pilot Program for Rural Residents, known as WEPP, is available to rural residents who own or rent homes in the Salinas Valley. Assessments are conducted by WaterWise Consulting Inc. and include on-site evaluations of indoor and outdoor water use.
Trained staff will check for leaks, review irrigation systems, and evaluate plumbing fixtures and appliances. Residents will receive a detailed report with personalized recommendations. In some cases, water-saving devices will be purchased and installed at no cost to the homeowner.
Assessments may include evaluations of faucets, toilets, showerheads and appliances for leaks and efficiency, as well as reviews of irrigation systems, timers and landscaping to identify potential improvements.
Eligible participants may also receive free installation of select water-saving devices, including efficient aerators, showerheads, irrigation nozzles and smart controllers.
Assessments are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. A resident or property representative at least 18 years old must be present during the visit, and homeowners must consent to the evaluation.
Rural residents can request an assessment by completing the online application at svbgsa.org/demand-management/wepp. Funding is limited, and applications will be accepted until capacity is reached. The program will operate through Dec. 31.
The pilot program is part of SVBGSA’s efforts to support groundwater sustainability under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which was signed into law in 2014. The law requires designated groundwater basins to develop and implement plans to achieve and maintain long-term groundwater sustainability.
SVBGSA oversees groundwater sustainability planning for six subbasins in the Salinas Valley and works on projects and management actions addressing groundwater recharge, seawater intrusion and water efficiency.
