News from the South Bay Environmental Services Center: July, 2023

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July is Smart Irrigation Month

July, 2023

Save Water, Energy, Money and the Environment

West Basin Announces Funding for Grass Replacement +Program NOW Available

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced a new round of funding for the Grass Replacement +Program (Grass+) now available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

The water-saving rebate program offers valuable incentives to be water- wise outdoors: a significant rebate of $5 for every square foot of grass removed, up to $25,000 in value; a free custom landscape design, valued at approximately $2,000; and a free, low water use tree to expand urban canopy cover.

The program started June 21, 2023, and is intended to help fund 35 Grass+ packages. West Basin service area residents can find more information, confirm eligibility, and get started by visiting www.westbasin.org/grass-plus.

Torrance Bakery Owner Anticipates Money Savings Through Water-Conservation Efforts

Marina Guirguis, the owner of Cup O'Crepe in Torrance, is looking forward to receiving her next water bill. She is excited to see how much she will be saving with her new water-conservation devices.

Guirguis started her family-owned business in May. The bakery offers Eqyptian-style crepes, pastries and sandwiches.

She recently enrolled the business in the Cash for Kitchens Program, which provides water efficiency training tools and free, water-saving devices, which she immediately installed.

Torrance Businesses Can Save Water, Energy and Money with the Cash For Kitchens Program

The Cash for Kitchens Program provides FREE water - use surveys for restaurants and commercial kitchens. Participants receive training materials and can qualify for FREE water saving devices such as:

Pre-Rinse Kitchen Sprayers
Faucet Aerators

Rebates on ice machine and kitchen steamers are also available.

Find out more here.

Fare Capping Offers New Way to Pay on Metro

With fare capping, the more you ride, the more you save.

You will never pay more than $5 in a day or $18 within seven days. Once you reach the 1-Day or 7-Day fare cap, rides are FREE. Frequent riders will benefit the most.

Learn more here .

Not All Heroes Wear Capes. In Some Cases, They Wear Scuba Gear

Sanitation Districts’ own scuba diving marine biologist Nobert Lee regularly inspects the ocean outfalls off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and conducts underwater surveys of the local marine environment by day. He does this work for the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) Marine Biology Laboratory.

However, beyond his work he also uses his expertise in scuba diving to help save and protect marine life. He is one of the founding members of Ghost Diving USA and currently serves on its board of directors as chief financial officer. Norbert has been conducting ghost net cleanups since 2021.

Ghost Diving USA is the U.S. chapter volunteer branch of an international non-profit organization, the Healthy Seas Foundation, based in the Netherlands. The organization helps to remove lost and abandoned ﬁshing gear that can harm marine life.

Through cleanups with volunteer divers like Norbert and collaborations with ﬁshermen and shipping companies, Healthy Seas helps reduce marine pollution by removing nets and getting the recovered nets recycled. To date, Norbert has been on 20 removal and survey missions.

Norbert is also a scuba instructor for Global Underwater Explorers, he trains and mentors new ghost divers who continue to clean the ocean, one net at a time. Learn more.

Find Resources on How to Use Rainwater Harvest at Home

The South Bay Rainwater Harvesting Program provides helpful information and resources for homeowners on how to capture rainwater for use in the garden, patio or other places on a property.

Harvesting rainwater conserves potable water, which will ultimately lead to a reduction in a homeowner's water bill. Find out how to save money, refresh plants and conserve nature's most precious resource here.

Beat the Heat and Save Money

A program called Cool LA is helping Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers better manage the impacts of extreme heat.

It's especially designed for older adults, income-qualified families and those living in underserved communities where hot weather has an especially significant impact.

Cool LA includes increased rebates on various types of cooling units to help LADWP customers overcome the health risks associated with extreme heat.

Learn more.

Boost Outdoor Water Savings with Smart Water Tips

Did you know that July is Smart Irrigation Month?

Smart Irrigation Month celebrates water efficiency and the technology that has helped in saving water worldwide. Despite California uncharacteristically damp winter, it is still essential to conserve water to combat overall rising temperatures and extreme dry years.

For more information on how to utilize smart irrigation and other water-saving tips, visit SoCalREN’s website here.

To learn more about the SoCalREN and how they are helping the South Bay cities save energy visit socalren.org/agencies.

Kits for Kids Program Helps Families Save Energy and Money

The SoCalREN Kits for Kids Program introduces third and fourth-grade students to energy efficiency.

Students from participating schools perform an interactive scavenger hunt and receive energy-efficient items at no cost that can help their families save energy and money. During the program each household installs the items in their home.

Each enrolled classroom is eligible to receive a $1,000 grant if 65% of students provide proof of installation. Learn more here.

Click Here for the July 2023 Calendar of Events and Workshops

Become a Certified Green Business

The California Green Business Program (CAGBN) is a network of local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California. Businesses in El Segundo, Hawthorne and Torrance are eligible to join the CAGBN.

Businesses that apply receive personal attention from the public agencies and utilities that serve them. The program is funded by grassroots contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small to medium-sized businesses in California.