As water costs rise and municipalities mandate usage, the multifamily industry is undergoing a natural transformation to become more efficient through new technology, improved operations and better maintenance techniques. Communities across Sacramento are seeking unconventional ways to become more cost savvy as resources become more expensive and limited. The drought has ensued a substantial amount of requirements and proactive recommendations for water use. The Natomas Park community in Sacramento has been conscientious regarding conversation by replacing 13,000 square feet of grassy turf, upgrading 200 sprinklers and nozzles, and installing solar-sync weather stations tied to the sprinklers. Some of California’s municipalities are even asking communities to reduce water use by 25 percent compared to pre-drought levels. A few of the precautions that cities throughout the state are suggesting for residents include:
Discouraging plant palettes that use a high amount of water, such as grass; if grass is used, it should be for recreational areas only.
Swapping out sprinkler systems for drip irrigation systems.
Installing sub meters for outside consumption, which is now mandated for new development.
Making sure landscapers budget outside use and read the meter weekly to ensure compliance.
Checking toilets for leaks, as they start slowly and they’re difficult to hear or see. When tenants move out, owners and property managers should check leaks with a dye tablet, as flapper leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix, but can lead to extremely high bills if not detected early.
Interesting fact: A recent study noted an increase of 6 percent to the combined water, sewer and storm water prices in 30 major metropolitan areas. This is an approximate increase of 41 percent within 6 years. These percentages apply not only cities experiencing a drought, but other cities nation-wide.
