Evaporation is a significant annual water loss for swimming pools, but a pool cover can help save nearly 10,000 gallons a year at a typical Santa Clarita home. In an effort to help its customers reduce their water use during the state’s serious drought, Valencia Water Co. is offering rebates for the purchase of pool covers.

The rebate is the latest tool offered by Valencia Water Company and arrives just weeks after state water officials imposed emergency mandatory water reductions. Valencia Water Company customers are now required to reduce their 2015/2016 June-February water use by 24 percent compared to 2013’s water use for the same period.

“Every little bit helps in a drought, including preventing water evaporation from your pool,” said Matt Dickens, Valencia Water Company’s Resource Conservation Manager. “A pool cover can go a long way toward saving water. It’s a very affordable investment in our water future.”

A seriously low snowpack and persistent dry weather have California in the fourth year of drought, prompting the state’s first-ever mandatory water reductions.

Most Valencia Water Company customers, Dickens said, have been responding in positive ways.

“We are very encouraged because customers are asking how else they can save water. They are using our rebates and the many tools available to them,” Dickens said.

Pool rebates are $75 for regular pool covers, and $200 for the purchase of a permanent, mechanical pool cover. The rebate amount cannot exceed the actual cost of the cover. The rebates will be applied as a credit to the customer’s water bill. Several types of pool covers are available from local pool supply stores. Rebate forms and information are available online at www.valenciawater.com or by contacting the conservation department at 661-294-0828.

Most Valencia Water Company customers who regularly use pool covers can save about 10,000 gallons of water a year that would have been lost to evaporation. Some of the larger pools in the area can prevent nearly 15,000 gallons of water being lost to evaporation by installing a pool cover.

Pool covers also can help reduce energy and chemical costs through a reduction in cleaning times.

“The first step in any conservation effort is to prevent water waste. Letting your pool water evaporate is a significant waste that can easily be controlled” Dickens said.

Other programs and rebates being offered by Valencia Water Company include a free Residential Home Tune-Up, rebates for irrigation upgrades including 25¢ per square foot for converting spray irrigation for non-turf applications to drip irrigation, 75 percent rebate for replacing traditional “fan” style lawn sprinklers with high-efficiency models, and a 50 percent rebate for select pressure regulating devices. Customers can also receive free irrigation nozzles by visiting www.freesprinklernozzles.com. Valencia Water Company customers can schedule their Free Residential Home Tune-Up by calling 888-987-9473.

Valencia Water Company is offering customers free low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and hose nozzles. Visit Valencia Water Company’s office to claim your water efficient devices.

As a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Family of Water Suppliers, Valencia Water Company customers also are eligible to receive $2.00 per square foot for converting turf to drought tolerant landscaping, a free weather-based irrigation controller by attending an online landscaping class, and a $200.00 rebate for purchasing a High Efficiency Clothes Washer (Water Factor 4.0 or less).

Dickens also reminds customers that several water use restrictions remain in place, including:

* Outdoor watering is currently limited to two days per week;

* Outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

* Irrigation water cannot run off property and onto streets and sidewalks;

* No hosing down sidewalks, driveways or other hard surfaces;

* No washing of cars with a hose that doesn’t have a shut-off nozzle;

* No outdoor irrigation for 48 hours following measurable rain; and

* No use of a fountain or decorative water feature without a recirculating pump.

REMINDER: Updated Personal Drought Reports will soon be mailed to every Valencia Water Company customer. Look for it in your mail and online. Keep track of your progress and see exactly how you can reduce water use by 24 percent.

About Valencia Water Co.

Valencia Water Company serves approximately 118,000 people in the Santa Clarita Valley, including Valencia, Stevenson Ranch and portions of Newhall, Saugus and Castaic. Valencia supplies its customers with high-quality water supplied from local wells and from imported supplies. Valencia has served the Santa Clarita Valley since 1965. Valencia Water Company can be reached at: www.valenciawater.com or 661-294-0828. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.