Water Conservation

WaterLess

The Cosumnes Community Services District maintains over 1,000 acres of irrigated parks, streetscape and trails. The goal of the WaterLess campaign is to protect water resources through the use of water-efficient practices and monitoring. Current actions being taken include the use of drip-irrigation systems where practicable, monitoring of spray irrigation systems to ensure efficient use, and monitoring of precipitation events to avoid over-watering. All of these measures support the District's Climate Action Plan / Sustainability Action Plan adopted by the Board of Directors in October 2020.

Park Maintenance Hotline

Cosumnes CSD utilizes an on-call / standby system to address urgent maintenance issues, including water waste. 

The system is activated by emailing the Park Maintenance Hotline or calling (916) 405-5688. Team members are available 24/7 to respond to problems, such as broken water lines or stuck on sprinklers, in an effort to maximize water savings and efficiency.

Recycled Water

Since 2003, Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) has provided recycled water in the Laguna West, Lakeside, and Stonelake communities. Cosumnes Community Services District uses this water for irrigation purposes, thereby conserving and extending the life of our precious drinking water resources. SCWA charges 30% less for using recycled water. The costs savings help us keep Landscape and Lighting Assessment Fees low.

In the future, Cosumnes CSD may implement a recycled water, or gray water, program to irrigate landscaped areas with treated wastewater from Cosumnes CSD facilities. Gray water refers to reusable wastewater from bathroom sinks, bath and shower drains, and clothes washing drains, that can be reused on-site, often for landscape irrigation. The use of gray water for irrigation is known to reduce the demand for fertilizer use.

Did You Know?

Recycled water is normally exempt from the drought related water restrictions imposed on potable water sources. This means the District landscaping in the recycled water areas may look greener than other areas of Elk Grove.

Recycled water, also known as reclaimed or non-potable (non-drinking) water, begins as treated wastewater processed at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. It then undergoes further treatment, including chemical treatment and filtration. After disinfection, this water can be recycled back to the community for use in all non-potable water systems. The recycled water used by the District is clean, clear and safe, even when it comes into contact with people and animals. It is not, however, for human or animal consumption. 

Signage is posted in landscaping to inform users that recycled water is not for drinking.

Landscape Conversions Save Water and Money

Over the years, Cosumnes CSD has replaced ornamental turf grass in numerous locations to save water and money. Locations are often in landscape corridors too small for leisure activities. The landscape conversion process involves removing the turf, updating the existing irrigation to a low-flow system and installing mulch along with low water-use plants. The result is a new landscape that uses 40%-50% less water.

Mow Height

In areas where ornamental turf grass cannot be removed, increasing the mow height provides a number of benefits to the environment:

  1. Taller grass reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation by shading the soil.
  2. Taller grass reduces soil erosion by encouraging deeper, more stable roots.
  3. Taller grass is able to better withstand extremely wet or dry weather by holding more water in the soil.
Increasing the height of grass areas can benefit the environment.

More Information