Rules
Residential front yard established landscapes only.
Property must be located within the geographic area of eligibility (See below).
Entries are judged from your photo submissions. (See below for instructions.)
Entries must demonstrate, and will be judged upon:
Attractive and creative use of water-wise landscaping and design principles
Efficient irrigation systems and overall water-use practices that maximize water efficiency
Proper landscape maintenance that supports long-term water efficiency and plant health
Use of California-friendly, drought-tolerant, or regionally appropriate plants; entries featuring non-water-wise or prohibited plants may be disqualified
The decisions of the judges are final. The judges reserve the right not to issue an award if there are insufficient or unsuitable entries.
Entry images will become the property of the sponsoring water agencies and may be used for future marketing activities and marketing collateral both locally and regionally.
Entrants agree that the contest organizer, Western Municipal Water District, may send a photographer to take high resolution photos of their landscape.
Entrants agree that their landscape may be featured in a virtual landscape contest tour.
Entrants agree that they may be expected to post a provided sign in their yard indicating they are a contest award winner.
Entrants agree that their landscape may be entered into a social media contest, where the public will select a “People’s Choice” winner.
If awarded the “People’s Choice” landscape, the winning entry participant agrees to have their landscape featured in an ad placement within Inland Empire Magazine. All other winning entry participants agree that their landscape may be featured in the ad placement.
By submitting the ENTRY FORM, you agree to all rules and Winner Assignment and Release of the landscape contest.
Photo Submission
Use the link above to submit your ENTRY FORM. In this ENTRY FORM, there will be a location to upload your landscape photos. Please submit three photos of your front yard landscape. One of the three photos must be taken from the street so that the entire landscape is visible. You will upload one photo into each photo upload buttons. Higher resolution photos are preferred.
If you are having difficulties uploading your photos via the ENTRY FORM, please send an email to tosavewater@wmwd.com. Be sure your name is in the email so we can match your email to the correct entry form.
JUDGING
Entry photos will be judged following the conclusion of the contest. All entrants will be notified of the winners by the end of June. The judging panel will consist of sponsors and landscape architects.
AWARDS
Eight (8) entry participants will be selected for awards. Each winning entry participant will receive a prize of $500.
The $500 award applies per entry, per property, not per individual property owner or household member. Only one award will be issued per winning property.
All winning entries will participate in Western Water’s “People’s Choice” social media competition. The landscape selected as the “People’s Choice” winner may be featured in an ad placement or other outreach materials at the discretion of Western Water. Western Water and its partner agencies may also use contest information and photos for future promotional or educational purposes.
Geographic area of eligibility
Entries will only be accepted from the following water agency areas. In other words, if you pay your water bill to one of the following agencies, you are eligible to enter the contest.
Box Springs Mutual Water District
Corona, City of
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Home Gardens County Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Norco, City of
Rancho California Water District
Riverside Public Utilities
Rubidoux Community Services District
Temescal Valley Water District
Western Municipal Water District
The 2026 Inland Empire Landscape Contest will open on April 1st, 2026.
The winning landscapes for 2024 are posted on the “2024 Winners” page.