Two new ordinances adopted by the City of Beverly Hills encourage conservation of that most precious of resources, water, both inside and outside of the home.

The first ordinance concerns “start irrigation controllers,” and is making it mandatory for “all irrigation systems for new or altered landscaped areas to be equipped with smart irrigation controllers.” These smart sprinkler controllers “manage landscaping watering needs based on weather and site specific requirements.”

To prove compliance, those who own property within Beverly Hills must get a water-efficient landscape permit and must then submit a detailed plan of the irrigation update, and that plan must be certified by a landscape or irrigation expert, to have included the following:

“1. Plant materials are grouped according to similar water needs, where feasible
2. Erosion and runoff controls are addressed in the landscape design
3. Irrigation systems are equipped with smart irrigation controllers.”

The Cyber-Rain sprinkler controller is an excellent option to consider, as it can save more than 1,000 gallons of water every month… that means 1,000 gallons of water that otherwise would have been wasted. On average, somewhere between 50 and 70 percent of a private residence’s water is said to be spent on irrigation. According to the City of Beverly Hill and the EPA, “Smart irrigation controllers
are estimated to save approximately 13,500 gallons a year and over $700 from a user’s
water bill over the life of the equipment.”

Already, many water districts across California offer rebates to those who purchase the Cyber-Rain smart sprinkler controller. Save water, save money (both with rebates and with lowered water bills)… who could ask for more? Residents can find out more about the new irrigation/landscape ordinance by going to the City of Beverly Hills Efficient Landscape site.

Late last week, the City of Beverly Hills also authorized an ordinance that requires residents selling their homes (or other property located in the city) to retrofit properties “with low consumption showerheads, toilets, faucets, and urinals at the time a property is sold.”

Furthermore, the person doing the selling is “responsible for replacing any older, high volume fixtures, and for verifying that all fixtures meet the low consumption standards.” The cost of any and all retrofits may be split between the buyer and seller, or assumed by either party. Have no fear, however: rebates and information on the new ordinance is available by visiting the Beverly Hills city website.