The Water Authority and its member agencies have teamed with The Home Depot again this fall to offer significant savings on water-efficient plants at San Diego County Garden Friendly Plant Fairs from Chula Vista to Oceanside. In addition, the Water Authority and its member agencies are holding more than a dozen free California Friendly Landscape Training courses this fall to promote WaterSmart landscaping.

More than half of the water used in a typical home is used outdoors. Mandatory water-use restrictions are in effect across San Diego County to save as much water as possible in case serious drought conditions continue into 2015. For more information about drought conditions, go to whenindrought.org.

During the plant fair events, specially marked containers of low-water-use plants such as lavender, bougainvillea, society garlic and rosemary will be discounted at select The Home Depot stores. Industry experts will attend the plant fairs to provide information about water-efficient irrigation supplies and how to select and grow low-water-use plants. The Home Depot certified nursery consultants will host how-to workshops, and local retail water agency staff will be on-hand with information about water conservation programs and services. In addition, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) representatives will be at the events to highlight programs, services and tools that help save energy and money.

For more information about the plant fairs, landscape training classes, and incentives such as the WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program, visit WaterSmartSD.org. 

Residents across San Diego County can win free food and other prizes by making an important contribution to state and regional water conservation efforts to save water for 2015.

The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies are distributing 60,000 fridge magnets with conservation tips across the region this fall and asking residents to promote water conservation by taking their own #DroughtSelfie as part of a social media campaign. Prizes have been generously donated by Rubio's, Jack in the Box, Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. in Mission Valley, SeaWorld, Slater's 50/50, The Habit Burger Grill and Woodstock's Pizza.

To request a When in Drought magnet with water-saving tips, send a tweet to the Water Authority @sdcwa or email sdcwa@sdcwa.org. 

The magnets emphasize the need for everyone in San Diego County to conserve water now that mandatory water-use restrictions are in place. This effort is part of the Water Authority's regional campaign "When in Drought: Save every day, every way." For more information about the drought, including water conservation tips, go to whenindrought.org.   

To be eligible for prizes, participants need to do the following:

1)Follow the Water Authority on Twitter @sdcwa.

2) Post a selfie with the "When in Drought" magnet to their Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram account (or all three) using #DroughtSelfie, and tag @sdcwa using Twitter and Instagram or the San Diego County Water Authority using Facebook.2)   

Participants may also post tips about what they are doing to save water.

During September and October, the Water Authority will give taco coupons to 50 randomly selected people each week who follow the Water Authority on Twitter and post their #DroughtSelfie. The hashtag #DroughtSelfie must be used to win. Participants will also be entered for additional prizes. The contest will run through Oct. 31.

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