Western Municipal Water District's Smart YardTM Program to Save One Billion Gallons of Water

Western Municipal Water District, leading the nation in solving water supply challenges, today announced that it’s implementing Smart Yard™, a community water conservation program designed to achieve more sustainable water use throughout Western’s retail customer base. Consistent with its mission, Western will provide efficient water use technology to homeowners. The District aims to reduce the water consumption of Smart Yard™ participants to save more than one billion gallons of water over a 10-year period.

Western is partnering with HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., provider of the WeatherTRAK® Smart Water Management solution, to manage the innovative water conservation program. The program provides homeowners with a landscape water audit and installation of a customized WeatherTRAK smart controller, proven to conserve water in 23 public agency studies. Landscapes in the Western service area use nearly 70 percent of the District’s water supply, and are typically overwatered by 30 percent and, in extreme cases, by as much as 300 percent.

“Western is committed to securing a reliable and affordable water supply for the community as we face imported water supply challenges and rising supply costs,” said Western’s General Manager John V. Rossi. Rossi added, “We are excited about Smart Yard because it unites our community around a common goal – saving water to save money.”

Western is partnering with homeowners by rebating 50 percent of product and installation costs, ranging from $599 to $1,139 per home, depending on the smart controller model required for the landscape. Participating homeowners pay the balance with zero-interest financing from Western, which places a fixed fee starting at $9.99 on their monthly water bills for 5 years. Western’s Smart Yard program is designed to save customers significantly more money in water costs than they pay in the monthly fee. Homeowners’ savings will increase as California’s water rates rise in coming years.

Western’s program addresses growing constraints faced by communities across the U.S. As water supplies dwindle, agencies must secure more reliable water sources. Conserving water is the lowest cost source of water for agencies and their customers, particularly when compared to developing new infrastructure or purchasing water from wholesaler agencies. The self-sustaining Smart Yard program does not rely on third-party grants or government rebates for funding.

“Western is demonstrating to its customers and water agencies throughout the country that smart landscape water conservation programs are smart environmentally and financially,” said Chris Spain, chairman and chief strategy officer, HydroPoint. Mr. Spain added, “By using proven technology to eliminate water waste, Smart Yard saves money and delivers a win-win for homeowners and the community.”

Western selected HydroPoint to administer the program because of the company’s demonstrated track record of successes in achieving water conservation goals for thousands of organizations in the public and private sectors. HydroPoint employs a progressive and integrated approach in developing and marketing programs that maximize value for both water agencies and their customers. To learn more about the Smart Yard program, visit WesternSmartYard.com.

About HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.

HydroPoint, founded in 2002, is the market and technology leader in Smart Water Management. The company's WeatherTRAK solution uniquely delivers a multitude of financial and environmental benefits by revolutionizing management of the area of greatest waste in urban water use: landscape irrigation. Proven in 23 independent studies, including the vanguard pollution runoff study led by the EPA, the WeatherTRAK solution saves water, reduces energy demand and protects water quality while it minimizes liability and expense exposure. In 2009 alone, WeatherTRAK subscribers including The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Regency Centers (NYSE: REG) and numerous public institutions collectively saved 11.4 billion gallons of water, 45 million kWh and 60 million pounds of CO2. Facing water rates ranging from $2 to $6 per 1,000 gallons and related expenses due to overwatering damages ranging from $500 to $10,000 per site, companies across the U.S. have identified WeatherTRAK as the green initiative with the fastest payback. Headquartered in Petaluma, Calif., HydroPoint is privately owned and operated. For more information, visit hydropoint.com.

About Western Municipal Water District

Western Municipal Water District provides water supply, wastewater disposal and water resource management to the public in a safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive and financially responsible manner. For more information, visit wmwd.com.

Smart Yard and WeatherTRAK are trademarks of HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. All other marks used are the property of their respective owners.