Save Our Water

What Save Our Water does

Save Our Water is a California statewide water conservation public awareness program co-managed by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The program operates through a website (saveourwater.com) and a bilingual English/Spanish brand ("Save Our Water" / "Cuidemos Nuestra Agua") to deliver water-saving tips, educational content, and a Yard Rebates Finder Tool that helps residents locate local rebate programs by zip code. It serves California residents and homeowners, local water agencies, and community-based organizations, distributing free partner toolkits, brand assets, and educational materials to support co-marketing of water conservation messages.

The program's core technology is a content-driven website with a zip code-based rebate search tool, a social media aggregator ("Social Wall"), an email newsletter subscription service, and a partner toolkit portal. Distribution is achieved through a multi-channel approach including social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, YouTube), earned media, event sponsorships at California fairs (SD Fair, Kern County Fair, OC Fair, Alameda County Fair), and partnerships with sports teams (Sacramento River Cats) and consumer brands (Quick Quack Car Wash). The program has no proprietary software, API, or mobile application.

Save Our Water is funded through California's state budget as part of DWR and does not generate revenue. It is a free public service with no pricing model, no commercial customers, and no revenue mechanics. The GTM motion is community-led, relying on partnerships with local water agencies, community organizations, and youth programs (e.g., Girl Scouts of the Central Coast) to reach millions of Californians annually. Its primary business segments are California residents seeking water conservation guidance and local water agencies coordinating statewide messaging.

Name

Save Our Water

Legal name

California Department of Water Resources

Website

https://saveourwater.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Save Our Water is a California state government public awareness program, co-managed by the Department of Water Resources, that provides free water conservation education, tips, and a yard rebate finder tool to California residents through its website, social media, and partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Conservation Public Education

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Retail Programs & Demand Management (conservation programs, rebates, water budgets, drought surcharges) (EUANAIAJ), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Water conservation program
• Public awareness campaign
• Water-saving education
• Rebate finder tool
• Drought-tolerant landscaping

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded public service: Save Our Water is a free public service funded by the California Department of Water Resources. As a state government program, it does not generate revenue but is funded through state budget allocations to promote water conservation statewide.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Save Our Water is a free public education program operated by the California Department of Water Resources that delivers statewide water conservation messaging through a website (saveourwater.com), bilingual English/Spanish content, and partnerships with local water agencies and community organizations. The offering centers on a zip code-based Yard Rebates Finder Tool for discovering local rebate programs, indoor and outdoor water-saving tips, drought-tolerant landscaping guidance, and downloadable partner toolkits for organizations extending the program's outreach.

Product overview

Save Our Water is a California statewide water conservation program co-managed by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications and the Department of Water Resources. The primary offering is a public education website that provides water-saving tips, a yard rebate finder tool enabling residents to search local rebates by zip code, partner toolkits with brand assets and social media content, and an educational blog with conservation articles. The program also maintains a social media presence across multiple platforms and offers newsletter subscriptions for ongoing water conservation guidance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Save Our Water Website California's statewide water conservation website providing tips, resources, and rebate information to help California residents save water indoors and outdoors. Bilingual English/Spanish platform co-managed by the California Department of Water Resources and the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications.
• Yard Rebates Finder Tool Zip code-based search tool that helps California residents discover local rebate offers for outdoor yard replacement through their public water agencies, surfacing programs such as OC Water Smart Rebates, Lawn to Garden Incentive, and California Friendly Landscaping Incentive.
• Partner Resources and Toolkits Downloadable brand assets, social media content, educational materials, signage, and marketing collateral provided free of charge to organizations (local water agencies, HOAs, businesses, community groups) partnering with Save Our Water to promote water conservation.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• El Nido Family CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2024Culinary program collaboration where students planted swiss chard and created recipes with their harvest to promote drought-tolerant crops and water-wise gardening.
• Girl Scouts of the Central CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2023Partnered to host the first Save Our Water – Wonders of Water Day at Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens. Girl Scouts learned water conservation and completed their Wonders of Water journey badge.
• California Department of Water ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Save Our Water website is managed by staff at the California Department of Water Resources. DWR co-manages the statewide water conservation program with the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications.
• California ReleafcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner focused on urban forestry and tree planting, aligning with water-wise landscaping and conservation goals.
• Eastern Municipal Water DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides water-wise tips and programs for residents, offering WaterWise Tips and conservation resources.
• Municipal Water District of Orange CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner offering OC Water Smart Rebates and Programs, including the OC Garden Friendly Program to improve outdoor water use efficiency.
• Inland Empire Utilities AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers the Inland Empire Garden Friendly program and the 'Kick the Habit' video series promoting water-wise gardening.
• San Diego County Water AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Water Smart San Diego County resources and programs for water conservation.
• Long Beach Water DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers the Lawn to Garden Incentive Program encouraging residents to convert lawns to water-wise gardens.
• Los Angeles Department of Water & PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides the California Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program for LADWP customers.
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the Be Water Wise program with resources on efficient irrigation and water conservation.
• Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState coalition of public water agencies, collectively responsible for 90% of water supplied to cities, farms, and businesses in California.
• California Natural Resources AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent agency overseeing the Save Our Water program, focused on restoring, protecting, and managing natural resources.
• CalFireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, partner for wildfire preparedness and defensible space messaging related to landscaping.
• State Water Resources Control BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocuses on clean water and abundant water supply for human use and environmental protection.
• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency focused on restoring, protecting, and improving the environment for public health and economic vitality.
• Sacramento River CatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMinor league baseball team partnership to encourage fans to reduce water use during games and promote conservation messaging at ballpark.
• Quick Quack Car WashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership highlighting urgent need for water conservation amidst extreme drought, promoting water-efficient car washing practices that save up to 65% water.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• WaterSmart Software: Commercial water utility customer engagement platform providing digital water audits, rebate management, and behavioral nudges. Comparable to Save Our Water's rebate finder and customer engagement mission, though delivered as a B2B SaaS to utilities rather than a direct public-facing program.
• Water.org: Global nonprofit focused on water access and sanitation financing through microfinance. Thematically related to Save Our Water through water-conservation advocacy, though focused on developing-world water access rather than residential conservation.

Broad incumbents

• US Water Alliance: A national nonprofit advancing policy and collaboration on water sustainability. Comparable to Save Our Water as a water-sector advocacy organization, though operating at a broader national policy level rather than consumer-facing public awareness.
• EPA WaterSense: Federal program promoting water efficiency through labeled products, certification, and consumer education. Comparable as a higher-tier public-sector water conservation program operating at the federal level with broader jurisdiction than Save Our Water's California focus.

Direct peers

• Alliance for Water Efficiency: A nonprofit organization providing research, education, and resources to advance water efficiency. Comparable to Save Our Water as a public-interest water-conservation organization with overlapping consumer and stakeholder education missions.
• California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP): A California-based partnership of water utilities, agencies, and stakeholders focused on water use efficiency. Directly comparable to Save Our Water's mission of advancing water conservation within California through coordination and resource sharing.
• WaterNow Alliance: A network of water utility leaders supporting sustainable, locally controlled water management through research, policy, and tools. Comparable to Save Our Water as a water-conservation advocacy and resource organization serving the public-sector water community.
• Water Use It Wisely: A public awareness water conservation campaign targeting residential water users with tips, resources, and partner toolkits. Directly comparable to Save Our Water as a state-level behavior-change campaign using similar content marketing and partnership distribution models.
• Be Water Wise: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's residential water conservation website offering tips, rebate information, and educational content. Closely comparable to Save Our Water as a regional water utility public awareness campaign with overlapping content and toolkits.

Others

• Surfrider Foundation: A grassroots environmental nonprofit focused on ocean and water conservation. Comparable to Save Our Water through water-related environmental advocacy and public engagement, though focused on coastal and ocean water issues rather than residential conservation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saveourwater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@saveourwater
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaveOurWaterCA
• Instagraminstagram.com/saveourwaterca
• TikTokvm.tiktok.com/ZTYjPBhbm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/save-our-water

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Save Our Water