Dear Friends and Supporters,
Last month, I shared the good news about our current water supply and our plans for the Atmospheric River Capture Project (ARC). Many of you responded with an important reminder: water supply development must be balanced with demand management. We also need to support water efficiency and conservation to reduce the need for new infrastructure.
You’re absolutely right, and I want to highlight Marin Water’s work on this front.
Demand Management: The Other Side of Water Security
At Marin Water, we’ve long understood that the most sustainable water is the water we don’t use. While projects like ARC prepare us for drought, our water efficiency programs reduce how much supply we need in the first place. This dual approach (responsible supply development paired with aggressive demand management) is the foundation of true water security.
Our Water Efficiency Programs in Action
Marin Water offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to help our customers use water more efficiently. Here are a few examples:
Rebates for water-saving technology. We provide financial incentives for rain barrels that capture stormwater for landscape irrigation, and for smart home water monitors and irrigation controllers that give customers real-time information about their water use, helping identify leaks and track conservation efforts.
Cash for Grass program. We offer rebates to customers who replace thirsty lawns with water-wise landscaping, reducing outdoor water use—which typically accounts for the largest share of residential consumption in our Mediterranean climate.
Free home water consultations. Our water efficiency experts conduct complimentary home visits to identify opportunities for water savings, from fixture upgrades to irrigation system improvements. These personalized consultations help customers reduce water use while lowering their bills.
Ongoing education and outreach. We regularly communicate with customers about the importance and financial benefits of water conservation, ensuring that efficiency remains top of mind even during abundant water years.
Regional Collaboration Through Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership
Marin Water doesn’t work alone on these issues. We’re proud to collaborate with neighboring water suppliers through the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, which unites 13 water utilities across Sonoma and Marin Counties. This regional partnership allows us to pool resources, share best practices, and deliver coordinated water efficiency programs that benefit the entire North Bay. By working together, we create economies of scale and send consistent messages about responsible water use across our region.
The Results: Conservation Is Working
Our demand management efforts are paying off. Water use by Marin Water customers is currently well below our 10-year average, reflecting both the effectiveness of our programs and the water-wise culture our community has embraced.
This declining demand has real consequences for infrastructure planning. Because our customers are using less water, we’ve been able to reduce our new water supply targets. This means we will invest less in infrastructure for transporting and storing water than we would have otherwise needed. Every gallon saved through efficiency is a gallon we don’t have to capture, store, treat, and deliver—resulting in lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
The Balance We Need
Supply development and demand management aren’t competing priorities: they’re complementary strategies that together create water resilience. Projects like ARC ensure we can weather severe droughts, while our efficiency programs reduce the frequency and severity of water shortages. The water our customers save today reduces the infrastructure we need tomorrow.
As we continue planning for Marin’s water future, we remain committed to both sides of this equation: smart, strategic supply projects activated only when needed, and ongoing investment in water efficiency that delivers benefits every single day.
Thank you for engaging with these important issues and for your continued support of responsible water management in Marin.
If you’d like to learn more about Marin Water’s efficiency programs or schedule a free home water consultation, visit https://marinwater.org/waterefficiency/ or contact our conservation team at (415) 945-1520.
Sincerely,
Ranjiv Khush
Director, Marin Municipal Water District, Division 3