Water Conservation
Living in the desert means water is precious. See how MDMWC helps you understand your water budget, save on your bill, and protect our shared groundwater basin.
Water Conservation Is a Way of Life in the Desert
Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company (MDMWC) serves the Bermuda Dunes community from a groundwater basin shared across the Coachella Valley. Because we live in a desert with limited and finite water resources, conservation isn't an occasional inconvenience — it's part of how our community protects its water supply for today and for future generations. Every gallon saved helps reduce demand on our groundwater basin and supports the long-term reliability of your water service.
California has adopted a statewide conservation framework to reduce water waste, and local water suppliers like MDMWC are required to support these efforts. Under the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (Title 24, Part 11, of the California Building Standards Code), local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce landscape water-efficiency standards at least as protective as the state model ordinance.
Regional Conservation Resources
Learn more about regional conservation at CV Water Counts ↗, a Coachella Valley–wide effort to promote responsible water use.
Update to Your Water Budget
Your water budget is based on your property's irrigable landscape square footage — the portion of your lot that actually requires irrigation, not your total lot size.
This more precise method helps you get an accurate, fair allocation and supports efficient water use. Basing your budget on irrigable landscape area, rather than total lot size, more accurately reflects the area that actually requires irrigation, promoting efficient water use and helping customers stay compliant with California's water conservation regulations (SB 606 / AB 1668).
Outdoor Water Budget Calculation
(Irrigable Landscape Area) × 0.62 × ETo × LEF ÷ (gallons to CCF)
| Factor | Definition |
|---|---|
| ETo | Evapotranspiration rate per CIMIS Station 200 (Indio 2), totaled for the billing period |
| 0.62 | Conversion factor to gallons per square foot |
| Gallons to CCF | Converts gallons into billing units (1 CCF = 748 gallons) |
| LEF Landscape Efficiency Factor | 0.70 — an aggregate factor that accounts for irrigation efficiencies and existing plant water needs |
The proposed state regulations will gradually reduce outdoor water budgets over time, ensuring a sustainable and efficient water future for our community. To learn more about how the state is emphasizing efficient water use and long-term conservation goals, visit the State Water Resources Control Board's Water Conservation Portal ↗.
Turf Rebate Program
Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company's Turf Rebate Program has concluded after helping customers convert more than 86,000 square feet of turf to water-efficient landscaping.
The program supported residential, HOA, and commercial customers in replacing qualifying turf with more water-conscious landscape alternatives.
Looking Ahead
Myoma plans to continue pursuing grant funding and other opportunities to support future conservation rebate programs.
Please check back for updates on future programs and funding opportunities.
Water-Saving Tips
Outdoor watering is the biggest opportunity to save. Follow our month-by-month Outdoor Watering Guide to set your sprinkler timer for the season.
Indoor Water-Saving Tips
- Fix leaks right away — a small drip can waste hundreds of gallons a month
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth to save up to 25 gallons a month
- Take shorter showers — cutting a shower by even a minute or two can save up to 150 gallons a month
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads
- When remodeling, install a low-volume flush toilet (1.6 gallons per flush or less) and check existing toilets for leaks
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until it's cold
- Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of thawing it under running water
Outdoor Water-Saving Tips
- Water your landscape during the cooler parts of the day — early morning or evening — to reduce evaporation
- Adjust sprinklers so water lands on your landscaping, not on paved surfaces
- Use a hose shut-off nozzle on all garden hoses and never leave a hose running unattended
- Check irrigation systems and drip lines regularly for leaks or broken heads
- Consider replacing thirsty turf with drought-tolerant, desert-adapted landscaping
- Apply a layer of mulch around plants and trees to reduce evaporation and retain soil moisture
- Avoid washing driveways, sidewalks, and building exteriors with potable water; use a broom instead
Pool & Spa Conservation Tips
- Keep your pool filled to about 6 inches from the top so it doesn't spill over when people get in
- Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation, especially during the hot summer months — this is one of the most effective ways to conserve pool water
- Turn off water features and fountains when the pool area isn't in use
- Check regularly for leaks; pool leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water over time
How to Check for Leaks
The best way to determine if you have a leak in your plumbing system is to check your water meter, typically located near the curb or sidewalk at the front of your property in a concrete box. Fixing leaks not only lowers your water bill — it also helps preserve our limited, precious water resources for future generations.
Checking Your Water Meter
- Make sure no water is being used inside or outside your house
- Locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it's moving. On an analog meter, the leak indicator may be a small triangular dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. On a digital meter, shine a light on the display to wake it up — the leak indicator is a dripping-faucet icon
- Alternatively, take a meter reading, wait 1–2 hours without using any water, and take another reading. If the reading has changed, you have a leak
Is the Leak Inside or Outside?
- Locate the main shut-off valve for your house — typically in the garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet — and shut off the water at the valve
- Check the leak indicator again, or use the meter-reading method, making sure not to use any water during this period. If the leak indicator stops moving (or the reading no longer changes), the leak is inside your house. If it keeps moving, the leak is outside, between the meter and the house
- If you have a leak and cannot locate the source, please call a licensed plumber as soon as possible
If you're having trouble reading or understanding your water meter, or if you suspect a leak on the MDMWC-owned portion of your service line (from the main to the meter), please call Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company at (760) 772-1967 for assistance.
Questions about water conservation?
For questions about water conservation, your water budget, the Turf Rebate Program, or leak reporting, please contact us.