Enhanced WaterSmart Website Offers Easier Access to Conservation Tools
July 21, 2015
The San Diego County Water Authority on Tuesday released an enhanced version of WaterSmartSD.org, the region's comprehensive online resource for…
The San Diego County Water Authority on Tuesday released an enhanced version of WaterSmartSD.org, the region’s comprehensive online resource for helping residents and businesses make water-efficient choices indoors and outdoors.
Improvements to the site include:
- Streamlined navigation that minimizes website clicks
- User-friendly icons on the home page for popular resources such as financial incentives, tools and services, and water-use efficiency classes
- A prominent tool that allows users to find their local water district
- A direct link on the home page to current drought information
- A “Featured News” item that highlights key programs and resources
- Simplified lists of programs, incentives, resources, services and case studies
Launched in June 2013, WaterSmartSD.org is the online home of the Water Authority’s long-term conservation efforts to reduce per capita water usein coordination with its 24 member agencies. It complements the Water Authority’s regional “When in Drought” conservation and outreach campaign, designed to respond to severe drought conditions affecting San Diego County.
Since the site launched, WaterSmartSD.org has received more than 443,000 page views, and visits have increased as drought conditions have worsened. Compared to the first three months of 2015, site visits have jumped 242 percent since the governor’s April 1 executive order mandating 25 percent urban water-use reductions statewide. That interest is having an impact: In June, San Diego County residents and businesses cut water use by approximately 26 percent compared to June 2013 as extraordinary conservation measures have taken hold.
“Using water efficiently needs to be way of life for our region, and we want to support everyone who is doing their part by making it easier to find information and inspiration about conservation,” said Mark Weston, chair of the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors. “This round of upgrades makes WaterSmartSD.org easier to use, part of our pledge to continue improving the resources we offer as we respond to the drought and intense interest in water issues.”
WaterSmartSD.org features news items and events, videos and other information about indoor and outdoor water-use efficiency. It includes conservation tips and answers to frequently asked questions, along with links to helpful tools such as a water-use calculator, free garden design software, classes and residential landscape design templates.
WaterSmartSD.org will continue to be updated regularly with new resources, photos, videos, case studies and announcements. Visitors may sign up for automatic notifications about website updates that include new programs or information of particular interest.
The Water Authority’s whenindrought.org website will continue to be the agency’s primary online hub for drought information, such as regional or state water-use restrictions and water supply conditions. Sdcwa.org remains the agency’s primary online source for news, Board documents, water use and financial data, contracting opportunities and other information about the agency or regional water issues.