Over the past few decades, Los Angeles County residents have made great strides in saving water even though the city's population has grown by more than a million since the 1970s, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) residents still consume about the same amount of water.
However, with drought conditions affecting more than 80% of the state, the emphasis is on the importance of continuing to find ways to save water wherever possible.
Saving water depends not only on the measures that consumers take, but also on the appliances they use, we have compiled some programs offered in the San Gabriel Valley and other cities to help you on your path towards greater sustainability.
Upper Water has revamped its “Water Smart Home” program to become the “Water Smart Home Kit.” This program has been developed to help residents save 20% on their household water consumption and achieve their region's collective goal of preserving its limited water resources.
The free kit includes a variety of water-efficient devices, both indoors and outdoors, that can be easily installed at home without needing to hire a contractor. Some of the items include: faucet aerators, bathroom shower heads, and irrigation system nozzles.
San Gabriel Valley's efforts to educate its community about water conservation also include workshops teaching different water-saving gardening techniques, known as “Water Smart Workshops.”
Upper Water partners with UC Master Gardeners and Green Media Creations to offer free public workshops on water conservation.
Classes cover a variety of hands-on topics including, but not limited to, resident training in California-friendly landscaping, grass removal, rainwater harvesting, irrigation and controller basics, leak detection, and sustainable landscaping. Some classes are available in Mandarin or Spanish.
Other workshops include “Fire Resistant Gardening,” where residents receive hands-on guidance on fire-resistant gardening, covering plant selection, maintenance practices and design principles to reduce fire risk. This workshop is ideal for homeowners, gardeners, and community members interested in creating safer, more resilient green spaces.
A workshop on how to create a beautiful, water-saving and wildlife-friendly garden using California native plants will also be held in September. This workshop explores the benefits of native plants, how to choose species suitable for your region, and where to find trusted native plant resources and nurseries.
And when nearly 15% of the water used in your home goes to washing clothes, switching to a high-efficiency washing machine saves water and energy and, thanks to rebate programs, doesn't have to be expensive. Rebates start at $85, depending on the type of equipment residents use.
For more information, visit upperwater.org
2026 Landscaping Workshops
Workshop Details: Learn how to create a beautiful, water-saving, wildlife-friendly garden using native California plantsThursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00 pmFor more information, visit upperwater.org
