The Soquel Creek Water District has a 2850 gallon cistern that captures water from their roof and uses it to irrigate a drought tolerant landscape. Additional roof runoff and overflow from the cistern is routed to a large rain garden—a shallow depression planted with vegetation that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. One additional downspout drains to a rocked area that diguises an underground infiltration system. Both of these last two features help filter and clean runoff and  promote groundwater infiltration when sited over a ground water basin.

Residents and business interested in installing these features can download a copy of the RCD Slow it, Spread it, Sink it! resource guide. Local water district or the RCD may offer rebates for some of these features.