Win a Garden Makeover - Contest entry forms must be received by May 31st.

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) and your local water providers are excited to host the ULTIMATE “Water Smart” Garden Makeover Contest during Water Awareness Month! The contest is geared toward encouraging and informing homeowners of alternative cost saving water-wise techniques that can improve and enhance their property without wasting water and money.

Do You Know the Benefits of Mulching?
Spend a day with your soil by applying 2-4 inches of mulch around your garden. Mulch is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to save water in your garden. Mulch protects soil from erosion, prevents weeds from sprouting and conserves water by reducing evaporation, all while enhancing the look of your yard.

A Customized Landscape by Award Winning Architect
As the grand prize winner for the ULTIMATE “Water Smart” Makeover Contest, you could win a front yard makeover valued at up to $40,000, featuring a custom water-smart landscape designed by Christy Tveit, winner of HGTV’s “Landscaper’s Challenge”.

Entrants must sign up for a free Water Wise House Call to be eligible for the grand prize. For details and to download an entry form, visit www.rwah2o.org/rwa/educated/ . Deadline to enter is May 31, 2007. Call 888-WTR-TIPS for more information.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – May is Water Awareness Month in California, and the Regional
Water Authority’s Water Efficiency Program offers many ways for local residents to Be
Water Smart. Using water wisely helps protect our natural resources, lowers energy costs and
reduces water and wastewater bills – whether your home is metered or not.
“Water is our most valued natural resource,” RWA Executive Director Ed Winkler said. “By
offering easy ways for people to become more water-efficient in their homes, yards and
gardens, we can help our region save water and energy costs, and better protect the
American River.”

Homeowners are encouraged to contact the Be Water Smart Hotline at 888-WTR-TIPS
(888-987-8477) to find out how to take advantage of the following services and rebates:
 Free Water Wise House Calls. As part of this free service from your local water
supplier, a trained water efficiency professional will visit your home to check the
irrigation system, devise a custom watering schedule, check indoor plumbing fixtures
for leaks, and provide free water-saving devices. Call 888-WTR-TIPS to find out
more.

 Free Workshops. Numerous workshops and events are held throughout the year on
water-wise gardening and other practices. For a calendar of events in your area, visit
http://www.rwah2o.org/rwa/educated/calendar/ .

 Ultimate “Water Wise” Garden Makeover Contest. The contest, which ends May
31, is aimed at helping local homeowners save water and money by incorporating
low-water use plants and trees into their landscaping. The grand prize is a front yard
landscape makeover. Download an entry form today at
http://www.rwah2o.org/rwa/educated/#UltimateWaterSmart .

 Ultra-Low Flow Toilet Rebate. Sacramento County Regional Sanitation District
(SRCSD) and participating water service providers are providing rebates of up to
$125 for ultra-low flush toilets of 1.6 gallons per flush or less. Rebates vary from $50
to $75 depending on your water service provider. The SRCSD may also contribute
up to $50 per toilet to district customers. Call 888-WTR-TIPS for details.

 Clothes Washer Rebate. In addition to a $175 rebate offered by Sacramento
Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) for high-efficiency clothes washers, participating
water service providers are offering an additional $50-$75 to SMUD customers
depending on their water service provider. That means customers may receive up to
$225 in rebates for a new water-and-energy-saving machine. Download a clothes
washer rebate application at
http://www.rwah2o.org/rwa/educated/homeowners/rebates/#two .

RWA is a joint powers authority representing 22 water providers in the greater Sacramento area. Its
primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and
quality of water resources. For more information, see www.rwah2o.org .
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5620 Birdcage Street, Suite 180
Citrus Heights, CA 95610 www.rwah2o.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2007
Contact: Lisa Maddaus
916/967-7625

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