By Jason KUROSU

As California suffers through its driest year on record, state officials and water agencies continually urge customers to conserve. Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency in January and also signed a $687 million drought aid package, which will fund water conservation programs and projects, food and housing assistance to those most affected by the drought and an emergency drinking water fund.

Crescenta Valley Water District customers can obtain rebates for their conservation in the form of the Turf Removal Program. This program rewards customers for removing Turf grass from their yards, which demands heavy water usage. Rebates will provide $1 or more per square foot of turf grass removed.

Other rebates are available and administered through the Metropolitan Water District and the Foothill Municipal Water District. These include rain barrels for a $75 rebate, soil moisture sensor systems, high efficiency toilets, rotating sprinkler nozzles, high efficiency clothes washers and weather based irrigation controllers. The Foothill Municipal Water District is offering rebates for flow-sensing shut off devices and hot water recirculation systems.

CVWD customers may download a rebate application through CVWD’s website. Those interested in MWD rebates can only obtain them through online applications from www.socalwatersmart.com.

  Jason Kurosu