In response to the California water crisis, Mangano Homes recently took a hard look at their new home developments and made some major changes. Setting an example for the home builders industry, new homes at Serra Meadows off Prado Road in San Luis Obispo will be modified with additional water saving features that estimate a 60 percent reduction in water usage in the models and the remaining 81 homes of the project.
“We take water conservation very seriously and want to make a difference with the homes we build” Mangano Homes President Mike Nimon said. The Mangano Homes staff worked with RRM landscape architects to develop a plan for effective water saving features on new homes being built now through completion of the Serra Meadows community. “New homes are the way to go for the latest technology on the most efficient water savings. We have aligned ourselves with both the City and State goals for water conservation, and we have shown our resolve by exceeding the requirements in the construction of new homes at Serra Meadows.”
Serra Meadows homes were originally designed with many energy-efficient and water-saving features. New homes will now include the additional water saving features such as synthetic turf, 100 percent drought-tolerant landscaping, drip irrigation, ultra-low-flow water valves and toilets, and moisture-sensor irrigation systems. The builders are also using reclaimed water during site preparation and grading, while landscapers are using reclaimed water for frontage road and entry landscaping and vacuuming to street clean, using no water at all. In addition, Mangano Homes is educating its home owners on everyday ways they can save water, which in turn, saves them money.
RRM Landscape Architects took a sampling of 6 different home lots to compare water usage from before and after scenarios and estimates a 60% reduction in water use from the landscaping measures. This effort exceeds water savings beyond the new home building requirements. “The homes at Serra Meadows keep the classic, traditional and lush look many homeowners desire, with a home that behaves very modern behind the scenes, saving valuable natural resources and homeowners’ money” Nimon said.
Serra Meadows is a community of new homes off Prado Road in San Luis Obispo featuring classic architectural designs with modern features. The sales office and model center is located at 372 Sage Street in San Luis Obispo. Serra Meadows is built by Mangano Homes, an affiliate of Wathen Castanos Hybrid Homes, owned by Resmark Land and Housing, and brokered by Richardson Properties. For more information, visit SerraMeadows.com.