Conservation pays off for Westlake man

STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO/Acorn Newspapers WATERWISE- Westlake Village resident Fred Rosenberg, second from left, receives a hefty $409 check from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District after making some changes to his irrigation system. Pictured with Rosenberg are, from left, Randal Orton, director of the water district's resource conservation and public outreach; board director Joseph Bowman; and Margherita Jensen, resource conservation specialist. Westlake Village resident Fred Rosenberg was the first customer to earn a hefty rebate check from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District through its Malibu Creek Runoff Control program.

The board of directors presented a $409 check to Rosenberg for his participation in the program.

The district staff surveyed Rosenberg's home and provided suggestions on how to conserve water through better irrigation practices. Rosenberg had a "smart" weather-based irrigation controller installed and changed other sensors to better suit the family's landscape needs.

The runoff control program was spearheaded by the district's Resource Conservation group, said director Joseph Bowman. The program has two goals, to reduce urban runoff, which carries pollution into local streams, and to conserve water through improved irrigation practices.

"In order to be a success, (the program) needs people who are willing to step forward and make a difference by participating," Bowman said.

The program is a grant-funded pilot project district representatives hope will serve as a model for other agencies statewide. The district pays for staffing, but the grant money is directed toward rebates and equipment.

Urban runoff has been identified as the single largest source of pollution in creeks that flow into Santa Monica Bay and the ocean. Runoff commonly results from excessive watering of lawns and landscaping- 69 percent of water use stems from irrigation.

The water district has been able to identify areas where runoff is a problem. The study estimated that 25 percent of area homes contribute to runoff.

The water district program is voluntary. District officials are trying to stave off mandated federal regulation of urban runoff by raising public awareness and showing residents that they can save money on their monthly bills.

All Las Virgenes Municipal Water District customers have been encouraged to request a water survey of their property, a district official said.

For further information, call Carol Palma at (818) 251-2104.