"Landscapes are essential to the quality of life in California…."
"Landscape design, installation, and maintenance can and should be water efficient"      (Excerpts from: Title 7, Div. 1, Ch. 3, Article 10.8 (d) and (e) of the Government Code)

The California State Legislature recognizes the importance of landscaping for recreation, fire protection, erosion control, enhancing environmental conditions and replacing ecosystems in areas of development. However, California faces a real challenge to meet the water needs of a growing population with a limited supply of water. To meet this challenge, water use in landscapes must become more efficient. There are many ways to accomplish this goal and even modest improvements can have a cumulative effect in saving a great deal of water.

The role of the OWUE landscape program is to collect and maintain data related to landscape acreage and water use; promote water budget irrigation scheduling for landscapes; develop GIS products for the web to help promote landscape water use efficiency; coordinate with California Urban Water Conservation Council to support BMP 5 (large-landscape water conservation); and develop water efficient landscape projects in cooperation with local, State, and federal agencies.