August 2026 Water WISE Winner

Congratulations to Stan Wong for receiving the August 2026 LVMWD Water WISE Award! 

A person smiles while holding a wrapped blue bucket containing various items, set against a leafy background.

The Water WISE, or Water-conscious Individual Stewardship and Excellence, Award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to conserve water. The District selects winners by looking at water consumption levels per household alongside the household's given water budget, keeping an eye out for any customers that show exceptional levels of commitment and passion for water conservation. 

Stan has been a champion at utilizing water wisely, and it all started 10 years ago. Growing tired of a lawn in a constant losing-battle with heat, he decided to start saving water and create a new garden of his own.  

Stan started saving water anywhere he could, installing extensive rainwater retention features and collecting usually wasted water, like when waiting for his shower to heat up. Instead of using constant running water to wash vegetables or dishes, he uses a simple tub of water to get the job done. Plus, he follows the same water-efficient advice that LVMWD gives, such as only running full loads of laundry and being sure to check for leaks, especially in your toilets and faucets.  

A lush garden with various palm trees and greenery in front of a house, under a bright blue sky.
The image shows various lush green plants and palm trees under a clear blue sky, creating a vibrant, natural scene.
A lush garden with various palm trees and tropical plants, featuring stone pathways and a clear blue sky.
Lush greenery with large leaves, bamboo stalks, and shadows on a concrete surface, creating a vibrant outdoor scene.
A lush collection of tropical plants, including ferns and a cycad, in a garden area under a wooden structure.
A lush garden with various palm trees and greenery in front of a house, under a bright blue sky.
The image shows various lush green plants and palm trees under a clear blue sky, creating a vibrant, natural scene.
A lush garden with various palm trees and tropical plants, featuring stone pathways and a clear blue sky.
Lush greenery with large leaves, bamboo stalks, and shadows on a concrete surface, creating a vibrant outdoor scene.
A lush collection of tropical plants, including ferns and a cycad, in a garden area under a wooden structure.

Outdoor irrigation makes up the bulk of household water usage. With all his collected water and an engineered pump and hose system, Stan maintains his lush gardens without seeing an outsized blow to his water bill. His garden also consists of many low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants, allowing him to save even more on watering. Now, Stan’s home is surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers for a fraction of the cost and without the hassle of a grass lawn.  

However, being truly water-wise is a community effort. Stan is constantly looking out for his neighbors as well, taking walks around the neighborhood and alerting homes or his HOA about broken sprinklers that are either leaking or stuck watering the pavement. “It’s all just making people aware; it doesn’t take much effort,” he says. Often, these things go unnoticed, and being aware is the first step you can take on your water-wise journey.  

If you want to start your journey to becoming the next Water Warrior, sign up for LVMWD's WaterSmart Program to track your water usage and receive a detailed breakdown of when and where you are using water around your home. The Metropolitan Water District also offers rebates for various stormwater retention features to integrate into your landscape, so you can start saving like Stan!

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