Water Conservation

Water conservation is a key component in managing our limited water resources.

Conservation Works

Since the 1990s, when Helix and the other water utilities serving the San Diego region launched water conservation programs, San Diegans have reduced their water use by 40 percent. In 2022, Helix customers are using, on average, 95 gallons of water per person per day. 

Citizens attending a garden event


Helix's Conservation Programs


Water Meters
All water service connections are metered and customer accounts are billed based on the metered volume of water use. Learn more about your water meter.

Public Education and Outreach
We use our website, social media, newsletters and events to promote conservation and provide tips and instructions for saving water. View upcoming events.

Regional Collaboration
Our water conservation staff collaboratively develop regional outreach, workshops and rebate programs with other water utilities through the San Diego County Water Authority.

The Water Conservation Garden
Helix and Otay water districts and Cuyamaca College collaboratively developed The Water Conservation Garden, a five acre botanical garden showcasing the beauty of water efficient landscaping. 

Demonstration Landscape
We completed a demonstration landscape at our administration office in La Mesa that features Mediterranean, desert and California native gardens.

Rebates
We offer rebates for a variety of water-efficient devices to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers through a regional rebate program run by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Workshops
We offer water efficient landscaping workshops to customers through The Water Conservation Garden and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Water Use Evaluations
We evaluate customer homes -- plumbing fixtures, appliances, landscaping and irrigation -- and commercial irrigation systems, and provide tips for saving water. Learn more about water use evaluations.

School Programs
Our classroom activities, school assemblies with Ms. Smarty Plants, and facility tours teach thousands of east county children to conserve water. Learn more about our school programs.