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Waterscape Rebate Program Communications Toolkit

Introduction

The County of San Diego’s Waterscape Rebate Program (WRP) offers customers located in the unincorporated area a range of incentives for landscape changes that upgrade properties, save money, and improve water quality and supply. The program is built around a partnership between SDCWA and County of San Diego to offer increased rebates for sustainable landscape makeovers, including turf replacement, WBICs, rain barrels and cisterns, and agricultural efficiency. In addition, the program offers new rebates for landscape changes that improve water quality, such as stormwater features, downspout disconnects, and septic pumping.

This WRP Communications Toolkit provides a suite of materials that can be used to promote these increased rebates to residents and businesses. This comprehensive resource includes key messaging, graphics, social media content, templates, multimedia resources, and participant stories. In this toolkit, you will find an overview of the materials available to you and suggestions for how to use them.

Contents

Key Messaging

Please see below program language that can be adapted for various formats, including websites. More information can be found at sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates.

  • The Waterscape Rebate Program focuses on the installation of landscaping and water-wise features, which help you save water, save money & beautify your home.
  • The program is offered by the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program (WPP), which is dedicated to protecting our environment by preventing pollutants from entering local waterways.
  • Enhanced and new rebates are available for turf removal, weather-based irrigation controllers, rain gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, and septic pumping.
  • Large Landscapes (commercial and multifamily) can receive personalized technical assistance and exclusive incentives to complete turf replacement projects through the Landscape Optimization Service.
  • Rebates are available for residents, businesses and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Check your address here to see if you are eligible.

The messaging above can be used in various ways. Included here are some suggestions:

  • Upload it to your website’s rebate or conservation program page.
  • Integrate it into a blog, e-mail campaign, or newsletter.
  • Share it with customer service representatives and encourage them to promote to commercial and multifamily properties seeking to reduce water bills or runoff issues.
  • Email it to partner and community organizations to share with their stakeholders.

Flyers

This WRP flyer provides an overview of the commercial and residential rebates offered. Click the respective link to download the PDF: English PDF or PDF en Español.

This 2-page LOS flyer provides an overview of the Landscape Optimization Service program offerings, a local success story, rebate requirements, and eligibility. (Download the PDF here.)

These flyers can be used in various ways. Included here are some suggestions:

  • Upload it to your website’s rebate or conservation program page for visitors to download.
  • Attach it to a blog, e-mail campaign, or newsletter.
  • Print it and use as a bill stuffer or bring to events.
  • Share it with customer service representatives and encourage them to promote to properties seeking to reduce their water bills or runoff issues.
  • Print and share with field staff or audit technicians who can hand it out to customers.
  • Email it to partner and community organizations to share with their stakeholders.

Social Media Content & Graphics

WRP’s visual marketing assets provide engaging content for digital or print outreach to customers. The following posts and graphics can be shared on social media as posts, stories, ads, and cover photos on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

1. WRP general program post without rebate rates:

Help your landscape soak up rainwater with gorgeous garden designs and dry creek features! With the #WaterscapeRebateProgram, San Diego County property owners in the unincorporated area can receive rebates to:

🌻 Replace turf with watersmart, native plants

💦 Install a weather-based irrigation controller

☔️ Install a rain barrel, rain cistern, rain garden, or other rain-saving feature

🌼 Get free professional landscape services to transform large turf areas into vibrant, drought-tolerant landscapes

🌿 Install irrigation upgrades with a cost-share and free Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency evaluation

🔧 Service your septic tank

Check your eligibility and estimate your rebate today at www.Sandiegocounty.gov/watershedrebates

To download the graphics click on the link here.

2. WRP general program post with rebate rates:

Help your landscape soak up rainwater with gorgeous garden designs and dry creek features!

With the #WaterscapeRebateProgram, San Diego County property owners in the unincorporated area can receive rebates:

🌻 Up to $6 per sq. ft to replace high-water use turf

💦 $80 per weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC) or $60 per station

☔️ Up to $2,100 to capture rain through a rain barrel, cistern, garden, or other rain-saving feature

🔧$100 to pump your home’s septic tank

🌼 Up to $5 per sq. ft plus customized landscape optimization services to transform large landscapes

🌿Up to $5,000 per grower to install irrigation upgrades

Check your eligibility and estimate your rebate today at www.Sandiegocounty.gov/watershedrebates

To download the graphics click on the link here.

3. LOS Program Highlight Post

Post for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn:

Get expert help and financial support to replace grass with a revitalized drought-tolerant landscape. The Landscape Optimization Service unlocks exclusive rebates for replacing 20,000 sq ft or more grass with beautiful water-wise features, helping you save money, increase property values, and improve local water quality.

Ready to minimize your bills and maximize your landscape? Visit sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates. Contact us directly at info@waterscaperebates.com.

The Landscape Optimization Service is available for commercial and multifamily properties in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. #LandscapeOptimizationService #WaterscapeRebateProgram #WaterWise

Post for X

Get expert help and financial support to replace 20,000 sq ft or more grass with a revitalized drought-tolerant landscape! The Landscape Optimization Service unlocks exclusive rebates to help you save money, increase property values, and improve local water quality. Learn more: sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates #WaterscapeRebateProgram

To download the graphics click on the link here.

4. WRP Summer Promotion Post - June

Post for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn:

Say goodbye to water-guzzling grass and hello to drought-tolerant plants and water-capturing systems. The Waterscape Rebate Program unlocks rebates for upgrading your outdoor space with water-wise features, helping you collect water, save money & beautify your home. This project highlight showcases Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving upgrades.

Ready to minimize your bills and maximize your landscape in time for summer? Visit sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates. Contact us directly at info@waterscaperebates.com or (619) 777-9071.

Rebates are available for residents, businesses, and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

#WaterscapeRebateProgram #MaximizeYourYard #WaterWise

Post for X:

Upgrade your outdoor space with the Waterscape Rebate Program! Say goodbye to water-guzzling grass and hello to drought-tolerant plants and water-saving features. Save water, money, and beautify your home. Learn more: sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates #WaterscapeRebateProgram

To download the graphics click on the link here.

5. WRP Summer Promotion Post - July

Post for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn:

Protect local water resources by replacing your grass with native plants and a rain-saving landscape feature today. The Waterscape Rebate Program unlocks rebates for upgrading your outdoor space with water-wise features, helping you collect water, save money & beautify your home. This project highlight showcases Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving upgrades.

Ready to minimize your bills and maximize your landscape in time for summer? Visit sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates or scan the QR code for more details. Contact us directly at info@waterscaperebates.com or (619) 777-9071.

Rebates are available for residents, businesses, and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

#WaterscapeRebateProgram #MaximizeYourYard #WaterWise

Post for X:

Protect local water resources by replacing your grass with native plants and a rain-saving landscape feature today. Save water, money, and beautify your home with the Waterscape Rebate Program! Learn more: sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates #WaterscapeRebateProgram

To download the graphics click on the link here.

6. WRP Summer Promotion Post - August

Post for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn:

Save water and avoid water waste by swapping out thirsty turf for sustainable landscaping along pavement. The Waterscape Rebate Program unlocks rebates for upgrading your outdoor space with water-wise features, helping you collect water, save money & beautify your home. This project highlight showcases Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving upgrades.

Ready to minimize your bills and maximize your landscape? Visit sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates or scan the QR code for more details. Contact us directly at info@waterscaperebates.com or (619) 777-9071.

Rebates are available for residents, businesses, and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

#WaterscapeRebateProgram #MaximizeYourYard #WaterWise

Post for X:

Save water, money, and upgrade your outdoor space with the Waterscape Rebate Program! Swap out thirsty turf for sustainable landscaping along pavement today. Learn more: sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates #WaterscapeRebateProgram

To download the graphics click on the link here.

7. WRP Summer Promotion Post - September

Post for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn:

Help your yard soak up rainwater with gorgeous garden designs and dry creek features. The Waterscape Rebate Program unlocks rebates for upgrading your outdoor space with water-wise features, helping you collect water, save money & beautify your home. This project highlight showcases Rain-Saving gutter, feature, and container upgrades.

Ready to minimize your bills and maximize your landscape? Visit sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates or scan the QR code for more details. Contact us directly at info@waterscaperebates.com or (619) 777-9071.

Rebates are available for residents, businesses, and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

#WaterscapeRebateProgram #MaximizeYourYard #WaterWise

Post for X:

Help your yard soak up rainwater with gorgeous garden designs and dry creek features through the Waterscape Rebate Program! Save water, money, and beautify your home. Learn more: sandiegocounty.gov/WatershedRebates #WaterscapeRebateProgram

To download the graphics click on the link here.

The following QR codes lead to the County of San Diego website

The Left QR code leads to the WRP home page, while right side QR code leads to the LOS page.
  • Upload it to your website’s rebate program page for visitors to scan on mobile devices.
  • Share the QR code on social media platforms as part of posts.
  • Add it to a blog, e-mail campaign, or newsletter.
  • Print QR codes on flyers, brochures, or catalogs in bill stuffers or bring to events.

You can download all the QR codes here.

Templates

LOS Email Promotion Template (Sample Email below and illustration on the right)

Email Subject Line Options:

  • Transform your property now with these incredible water-wise rebates!
  • Claim your rebate with the Landscape Optimization Service while funds last!

Headline:

Maximize your yard. Minimize your bills.

Body of the Email:

About the program:

LANDSCAPE OPTIMIZATION SERVICE: Expert Assistance to Upgrade Your Landscape

If rising water and maintenance costs of your unused grass landscape are a growing issue or if you are interested in contributing to more reliable, safer, and cleaner water for your community, look no further than the Landscape Optimization Service. This County of San Diego financial assistance program helps properties with larger landscapes to complete turf replacement and irrigation system upgrade projects at little to no cost.

With the Landscape Optimization Service, San Diego County property owners in the unincorporated area can receive:

  • Personalized start-to-finish expert guidance and assistance to transform your landscaping and reduce costs.
  • Rebates up to $5 per sq. ft for turf replaced.
  • Multiple incentives available for stormwater features required for rebates.
  • Expert help obtaining additional rebates for devices including smart controllers, drip irrigation and flow sensors.

Contact the Landscape Optimization Service team directly at dgareau@enviroincentives.com to secure your spot today!

Multimedia Resources

A photo gallery featuring Waterscape Rebate Program imagery. These are categorized by the type of project. Please use these photos in Waterscape Rebate Program content only. You can find the photo library here.

Photo attribution: For photos labeled with istock/shutterstock please credit either iStock or Shutterstock as Photo Credit: iStock/Shutterstock (accordingly). For all other photos please include “Photo by County of San Diego” if including these in marketing materials.

A short Waterscape Rebate Program rebate introduction video (to share the video click on the video and then right click and select Copy Video URL).

A Landscape Optimization Service participant testimonial video (to share the video click on the video and then right click and select Copy Video URL).

A few suggested uses for these photos and videos include:

  • Posted on social media as posts, stories, ads, and cover photos on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn
  • Integrate into emails as banners.
  • Post as social media content.
  • Embed in website.
  • Create your own Facebook ads.
  • Add it to a blog, e-mail campaign, or newsletter.

Participant Stories

Press

  • An article about the Landscape Optimization Service’s successful project at an HOA in Lake San Marcos. Article Link Here
  • An article about a Landscape Optimization Service HOA participant from Rancho San Diego winning the 2024 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California One Water Award. This article features photos of the upgraded landscapes and a testimonial video from the HOA board president. Article Link Here

Project Descriptions

The following Project Descriptions share some of the benefits of residential and commercial projects, such as estimated gallons of rainwater captured, or area of grass converted to sustainable landscaping. They also include photos of the project and participant testimonials. They are organized alphabetically by community name.

Bonita

This residential project includes Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving to Gutter and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Bonita

This residential project features Rain-Saving to Gutter, Yard, and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

El Cajon

Jamacha Park replaced 25,000 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Escondido

El Norte Park converted 10,000 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Escondido

This residential project features a Rain-Saving to Feature Best Management Practice. Download PDF here.

Fallbrook

Fallbrook Land Conservancy completed a project with Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving to Gutter, Feature and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Fallbrook

Zion Lutheran community church and school replaced 21,000 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Jamul

Steele Canyon HOA converted 92,115 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Lakeside

This residential project treats roof runoff with Rain Saving to Gutter, Feature, and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Lake San Marcos

Fairways at Lake San Marcos replaced 23,000 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Lake San Marcos

This residential project includes Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving to Feature Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Ramona

San Diego Country Estates replaced 23,289 square feet of turf grass with the Landscape Optimization Service. Download PDF here.

Spring Valley

This residential project treats roof runoff with Rain Saving to Feature and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Spring Valley

San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) partnered with the County of San Diego to host two rainwater harvesting workshops. Download PDF Here.

Spring Valley

This residential project includes Watersmart Edgescaping and treats roof runoff with Rain Saving to Gutter, Feature, and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Spring Valley

This residential project includes Watersmart Edgescaping and Rain-Saving to Feature and Container Best Management Practices. Download PDF here.

Thank You!

The WRP team appreciates your support to promote these offerings amongst your partners and customers. Please reach out to us if you are experiencing any difficulties using the materials. We also welcome your feedback regarding updates to materials or additional assets that could be useful to you. This Toolkit will be regularly enhanced with new content so check back for new resources.

We also welcome direct outreach from customers seeking assistance with rebate programs. The WRP team has staff members able to assist customers to identify the right rebate opportunities and complete projects.

Megan Chery

Environmental Incentives (County contractor)

(631) 335-3728

mchery@enviroincentives.com