Lacey water resources staff outline conservation tactics and rebates, including controller and commercial irrigation incentives

Charlene McKendree, water resource specialist for the City of Lacey, told HOA representatives about the city's drinking-water and conservation programs, seasonal demand and available rebates for residential and commercial irrigation equipment.

McKendree said the city's drinking-water system averages about 6,000,000 gallons per day in much of the year and ‘‘in the summertime, it it doubles, easy doubles, and then sometimes almost triples,’’ increasing stress on distribution and storage. To reduce peak demand the city operates an alternate-day (odd/even) watering schedule tied to address and asks large irrigators to stagger watering so distribution capacity and pressure remain sufficient for domestic use and emergencies.

On rebates, McKendree described residential and commercial options: residential rebates include Energy Star washing machines, WaterSense-certified irrigation controllers (a new residential controller rebate is capped at $150), rain barrels and ultra-high-efficiency toilets (1.1 gallons per flush or less). For commercial irrigation she described a meter-size–based incentive: "$250 per 5 eighth inch of your water meter," and gave an example that two 1.5-inch irrigation meters could be eligible for around $2,000 in total rebate depending on meter sizing and calculation. McKendree said commercial rebates require preapproval and that meters must have been in use for the prior three seasons to qualify.

She emphasized equipment must be WaterSense certified for rebate eligibility and that products like certain rotators may not yet be certified. Repairing irrigation lines is generally not eligible for rebate, but controllers and sprinkler heads are. McKendree offered to look up HOA meter sizes and account details for applicants, and said she often visits completed projects to verify equipment and rebate calculations.

McKendree also brought free indoor and outdoor water-saving kits and soil moisture sensors for attendees and pointed them to partner resources including Thurston County Stream Team, Thurston Conservation District and Washington State University for low-water landscaping and native-plant guidance. She said the city's 2024 water quality report is available and the next report is typically published around June.

During Q&A, attendees asked whether replacing aging controllers or repairing leaking lines qualify; McKendree said controllers and sprinkler heads are the primary eligible equipment while repairs to distribution lines are not. On scheduling, she asked HOAs to ensure irrigation systems do not run into Friday hours so the system can "recharge" and reservoirs refill.

What happens next: HOAs should contact McKendree for preapproval and account verification before purchasing equipment for rebates; residents can pick up free kits at City Hall or request bundles online for pickup.