Water Science Education

The City proudly supports local public and private schools, by providing Water Science Education Programs to elementary and afterschool programs. The programs teach water science to raise awareness of Earth's resource through interactive and collaborative activities that supplements science curriculum and helps meet Next Generation Science Standards*.

Water Topics:

  • Natural Resources*
  • Hydrologic Cycle*
  • Water Resources
  • Water Treatment Process*
  • Watershed Science

Contact the Environmental Programs staff at water@escondido.org 

 

Splash Lab Science Mobile

splash science lab
The City sponsors a limited number of Splash Science Mobile Lab visits to 4th and 5th grade classes to get a hands on experience with water issues
 
 

Online Water Educational Resources for Parents:

Printable Resources:
 

 

Education and Outreach

To report pollution or water waste violations use Report It! or call Public Works 760-839-4668.

Community members are invited to take part in opportunities offered throughout the year to learn about our City's water resources. Water is a vital component in sustaining a healthy community, which is why learning how to conserve and protect its quality is a benefit for each of us.

  • Homeowners can participate in a landscape workshop to learn how to create a California friendly landscape.
  • Teachers are able supplement their science curriculum with water education presentations.
  • Community group presentations can be provided to help interpret and understand water regulations and policies.
  • Water quality brochures are available to learn about how to prevent storm water pollution in your home and business.
  • Participate in Project Clean Water's 52 Ways to Love Your Water pledge campaign.

Annual 4th Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest

Rules:

  1. No mixed media; must be drawing only
  2. Be original; no copyrighted or trademarked characters
  3. Use lots of color
  4. Do not leave a lot of empty space
  5. Posters are due by April 8, 2024

How to submit drawings:

  1. Print out entry form
  2. Fill out personal information on page 1
  3. Draw poster inside the box on page 2
  4. Mail to Escondido City Hall by April 8, 2024

Download Entry Form.

If you are unable to print the entry form, contact water@escondido.org for information about getting the entry form mailed to you.

 

Love Water, Save Water Finalists




Workshops and Events

In San Diego County, the average resident consumes about 120 gallons of water each day, with roughly half of that water being used for landscape irrigation. Fixing leaks and making minor repairs or adjustments to your irrigation system can save you water. The Environmental Programs group is committed to providing customers with resources to aid with outdoor water management.

2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest is now open - Enter Now at landscapecontest.com 

2023 Landscape Contest Winners

Congratulations to Escondido’s 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winners, Marcus and Leanne F!

Homeowners Marcus and Leanne decided to make the swap to a more water-wise landscape in 2021 when they realized that the effort to keep their lawn green was wasting water. With a limited budget and no landscape design experience, they started their makeover from scratch, watching videos online to help them figure things out. The sprinkler system that had been watering the driveway more than their lawn was replaced with an efficient drip irrigation line that is set to water twice a week. The dry river bed included in their design works to infiltrate and channel rainfall, minimizing slope erosion.

This winning landscape includes plants that can be found in the San Diego County Water Authority’s Nifty Fifty Plants for WaterSmart Landscapes. Some Nifty Fifty plants used by our winners that thrive here in Escondido’s climate zone are Palo Verde, Salvia, Aloe, Cactus, Ice Plant, and Kangaroo Paw.

“Hopefully our DIY project inspires others to join the water conservation movement,” says Marcus and Leanne who now enjoy their beautiful yard and already have neighbors inquiring about how to make the change!

2023 Honorable Mention goes to Kathleen and Alan C!

Every spring the WaterSmart Landscape Contest is open to City of Escondido water customers who have taken a California-friendly approach with their home landscaping. Find inspiration from County homes, previous contest winners, or a San Diego gardening guide. Take advantage of the SoCal WaterSmart turf removal rebate program and free online landscape workshops when making over your yard. Enter the 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest and be recognized for your work to conserve water! Visit landscapecontest.com for eligibility, entry information, and other resources

2022 Landscape Contest Winners

2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner 

Congratulations to Escondido's 2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner Jeanne R!  

When longtime Escondido resident Jeanne R moved to her home in 2019, she set out to transform the yard full of weeds into a beautiful water-wise garden that would support local biodiversity. Today the colorful landscape filled with California native plants attracts butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. Her drought-tolerant garden is a thriving habitat that now brings joy to Jeanne and her community, saving water.

Jeanne has always loved gardening, and by using plant cuttings and growing plants from seeds, she has significantly cut her landscaping costs. She could create her bright heat-tolerant vision using clippings from friends, neighbors, and family members. "It is easy to start plants from cuttings and saves money if one is patient to nurture the little cuttings," she says. Jeanne has done all planting by hand with help from her grandson, who also built a bird bath for the garden using reclaimed wood. 

Jeanne has chosen to use milkweed plants throughout her landscape, native to California and the host plant of Monarch butterflies. Growing milkweed is a great way to support these butterflies through their twice-yearly migration. Jeanne has been able to watch them enjoy her garden and witness the entire Monarch life cycle right in her yard.

Watering the plants in her yard by hand has allowed Jeanne to save money and water. "Sunshine therapy is wonderful and healthy. Hand watering gets me out of the house daily to enjoy my garden, soak up the vitamin D, and get the exercise and movement my 84-year-old self needs," says Jeanne. Watering plants only according to their water needs dramatically reduces water use in the garden.

Jeanne's landscape is an example of how one can be WaterSmart and cost-efficient when deciding to re-landscape their yard!

For information on how you can enter next year's contest, visit landscapecontest.com

Featured Story: Water News Network

California Native Plants used: Magenta Bougainvillea, California Poppies, Milkweed, Succulents, Creeping Rosemary, Rock Purslane, Sea Lavender, Trailing Lantana

Not Native but drought tolerant: Leyland Cypress, Gazania Daisy/African Daisy, Wax Leaf Privet, Creeping Myoporum, Everest Sedge Grass, Lady Banks Pink Miniature Rose Bush 

 

Water Quality Brochures

Everyone who lives, works or visits Escondido plays an important role in minimizing the effects of urban runoff and safe-guarding the water quality in the receiving creeks. Help us protect and improve the quality of urban runoff and stormwater:

Ayúdanos a reducer el impacto de la escorrentía de aguas pluviales:

 

Outdoor special events must comply with storm water regulations:

 

WaterSmart Landscape Contest- Enter NOW

 

The WaterSmart Landscape contest is an opportunity to showcase your water-efficient yard. The winner will receive valuable prizes and public recognition. The deadline is May 10, 2024

To enter, visit landscapecontest.com. If you have any questions, please call 760-839-4075

 
WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program
 

These free in-person and virtual landscape classes will teach you the fundamentals of converting your thirsty grass into a water-efficient landscape. Each program will address a variety of themes related to a WaterSmart Landscape makeover. 

Click here to view the classes.

 

 

 

 

Transform your yard and create a watershed wise landscape!

 

Click here to view the classes.