Following the most destructive fire in Los Angeles County, Malibu residents are now working towards recovery through the rebuilding process, including replacing charred landscaping. Persistent drought conditions, a prolonged fire season, and rising temperatures prompted the City of Malibu, Los Angeles County Waterworks, and West Basin Municipal Water District to launch Malibu Smart, a comprehensive water conservation program to help residential and commercial customers reduce water use.
The goal of the Malibu Smart program is to empower Malibu residents and businesses to save 28 million gallons of water annually through rebates for water saving technologies, a water conservation concierge service, free water conservation audits, turf replacement rebates and water conservation workshops.
The Malibu Smart program is funded by Proposition 84 funds (The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006). Proposition 84 funds safe drinking water, water quality and supply, flood control, waterway and natural resource protection, water pollution and contamination control, state and local park improvements, public access to natural resources, and water conservation efforts.
For more information about the Malibu Smart program, visit the Malibu Smart website.
Rebates for Water Saving Technologies
Residents of Malibu are eligible to receive incentives for smart irrigation technologies, which can be controlled by a smart phone and identify leaks before they become costly and wasteful. These incentives include rebates for purchasing and installing water-saving technologies, including irrigation controllers, sprinkler nozzles, toilets, laundry machines, rain barrels and cisterns. In addition, through this program, the City will waive permit fees for residential laundry-to-landscape greywater systems.
Water Conservation Concierge Service
Malibu Smart offers certain customers concierge service from trained water conservation guides who will connect them to qualified landscape contractors who can offer rebates for installing the latest water-saving irrigation devices. For more information, or to sign up for the Malibu Smart concierge service, call 310-554-6210 or email water@malibusmart.org.
Free Water Conservation Audits
The largest opportunity for water savings exists in landscape use, which accounts for 50-60% of all water use. Residents of Malibu are eligible to receive free indoor and outdoor water audits, followed by recommendations to reduce overall water use. For more information, or to sign up for a Water Conservation Audit, call 310-554-6210 or email water@malibusmart.org.
Turf Replacement Rebates increased to $5 per square foot
A turf replacement rebate is available and was recently increased up to $5 per square foot for those customers who want to take their water savings to the next level. To make it easier for residents to incorporate turf replacement into the post-fire rebuilding work, some requirements for the turf replacement rebate have been waived for residents whose properties were impacted by the Woolsey Fire. For more information, or to sign up, visit the Socal WaterSmart website.
Workshops
Malibu Smart offers workshops for the community to learn about “firescaping,” or fire-resistant landscaping techniques, as well as rainwater harvesting and greywater re-use.
Firescaping Workshop
Tuesday, September 10, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu CA 90265) Multipurpose Room
Firescaping uses smart landscaping techniques and native plants to protect your property from wildfires. These practices combined with smart irrigation systems can help safeguard your home, use less water and save money on your water bill. To RSVP or for more information, visit the event page.
Turf Replacement Class
Saturday, September 21, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu CA 90265) Multipurpose Room
Save water. Live well. Take advantage of Malibu's $5/sq ft turf replacement rebate and join the free Turf Removal and Garden Transformation workshop. Space is limited, so registration is required. To RSVP or for more information, visit the event page.
Rain Barrel Giveaway
Saturday, November 2, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu CA 90265) Upper Parking Lot
West Basin Municipal Water District is offering Malibu residents free 555-gallon rain barrels in order to promote water conservation. They are a great way to collect rain water to use for landscaping. First-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration does not guarantee a rain barrel. To RSVP or for more information, visit the event page.
Firescaping Workshop
Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu CA 90265) Multipurpose Room
Firescaping uses smart landscaping techniques and native plants to protect your property from wildfires. These practices combined with smart irrigation systems can help safeguard your home, use less water and save money on your water bill. To RSVP or for more information, visit the event page.