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San Marcos utilities reviews rebates, audits and Stage 3 drought rules as city remains in drought
Summary
City conservation staff outlined free audits, a menu of rebates and Stage 3 drought restrictions, urging residents to use the utilities conservation web pages for program details and applications.
Jan Dela Cruz, San Marcos conservation coordinator, briefed the Neighborhood Commission on the city—s water and energy conservation programs and current drought rules.
Dela Cruz described outreach and free services (school classroom materials, neighborhood presentations, giveaways such as rain gauges and low-flow fixtures), and programs residents can request: free home energy audits that review insulation, HVAC and ductwork; rebates for HVAC upgrades, attic insulation, Energy Star window air conditioners and windows, solar window film and commercial lighting; and a solar PV rebate that requires prior efficiency measures.
She described the city—s rainwater-harvest rebate (available for systems from small 50-gallon barrels up to 5,000–10,000 gallon cisterns) and said larger pressurized systems may qualify for a rebate equal to $1 per gallon of storage capacity. The city also offers a SoilSaver rebate for soil-improvement measures (core aeration, compost topdressing, mulch) and irrigation-zone conversion or removal rebates to replace spray zones with drip or to cap zones.
Dela Cruz said a pilot grass-removal rebate during the COVID era produced mixed results (many participants installed rock rather than native landscaping) and the city is considering a redesigned program that would emphasize native plant beds rather than artificial turf or full rock yards.
On drought status, Dela Cruz said San Marcos remains in Stage 3. She said Canyon Lake storage rose to about 68% capacity after recent floods but the Edwards Aquifer did not recover substantially because much runoff did not infiltrate. Under Stage 3 rules, sprinklers (automatic irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers) are allowed one day every other week on designated days/times by street number; soaker hoses and drip systems are allowed one day per week; hand-watering is allowed any day before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Prohibited in Stage 3 are washing impervious surfaces, aesthetic water features, filling pools and similar uses.
Dela Cruz said enforcement emphasizes education: staff typically send notices of violation and follow up with drive-by checks; fines are a last resort after repeated notices. She directed residents to the San Marcos Utilities conservation web pages for rebate forms, flyers and program details.
