Here's an incentive for Santa Monica residents to reduce their water use impact: the City of Santa Monica is now offering grants with incentives up to $20,000 for water-efficient landscaping. Landscaping projects that include water-efficient irrigation, plus one or more of the following: California native plants, water-efficient plants, storm-water management systems, graywater systems, and/or other innovative water-saving features qualify.

The goal is to reduce citywide water use by 20% by 2010, an idea which makes a lot of sense for all of Los Angeles. If you're fortunate enough to call Santa Monica home, more information about the program and grant applications available here.