The Truckee Donner Public Utility District is offering irrigation efficiency programs to make watering more efficient while maintaining beautiful gardens.

Available to qualifying customers, these programs will also help district customers comply with state prohibitions against wasting water, which include rules against overspray irrigation and watering for 48 hours after measurable precipitation.

More than 60 percent of the district’s summertime water use is attributed to irrigation. Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of that water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficiencies in irrigation methods and systems.

The following are outdoor water saving programs offered by the district:

Wired Rain Sensor — Eligible customers receive a free rain sensor which will turn off  irrigation controller during precipitation and delay re-start depending on how much rain has fallen.

Rain Sensor Rebate — Eligible customers receive up to a $20 rebate to install a wireless sensor or specific manufacturer’s rain/weather sensor to improve watering efficiency.

Installation + Tune-up Rebate — Eligible customers receive an additional rebate up to $50 when they have a rain sensor installed by an irrigation/landscape professional with an irrigation system tune-up.

Go online for full program details.