Demand Reduction Measures to Achieve 25% Water Cutback

Continuing extreme drought conditions have prompted Zone 7's Board of Directors to set forth water demand reduction measures needed to achieve an overall 25 percent cutback in treated and untreated water deliveries for 2014.

Water retailers serving Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and Dougherty Valley must achieve conservation consistent with "Stage 2" under Zone 7's Urban Water Management Plan.

Because the majority of water used for non-public health and safety is used outdoors, attaining a 25 percent reduction over the course of the entire year will require a much larger cutback in outdoor water use beginning immediately.

The Stage 2 Action Plan consists of:

1) Reduce Indoor water use by 5 percent

• Water service in restaurants to be provided only when requested.
• Check your home's water meter to see if you have a leak (directions are posted at www.h2ouse.org.
• Leaks are prohibited. If you find a leak (even a small one), arrange for it to be repaired as quickly as possible.
• Rebate programs for water-efficient appliances, lowflow toilets (replacing older, high-flow toilets) and waterless urinals will remain available while funds last (first-come, first-served).

2) Reduce outdoor water use by 50-60 percent (these limitations apply only to outdoor use of tap water; they do not apply to applications or use of recycled water).

The following practices are prohibited during the Drought Emergency:

• Watering while it’s raining or less than three days after a rain event.
• Any irrigation that results in ponding, flooding, excessive runoff or marshy conditions.
• Watering during daylight hours, due to the higher evaporation rates.
• Filling a new swimming pool or draining and subsequent complete refilling of existing swimming
• pools (in some extremely limited situations related to health and safety needs and localized groundwater conditions, waivers may be considered).
• Refilling (topping off) swimming pools that are uncovered when not in use.
• Use of non-recycling decorative water fountains.
• Using hoses without quick-acting shutoff nozzles.
• Hosing off sidewalks, driveways, building exteriors.
• Any use of potable water related to street sweeping, sewer maintenance, gutter flushing, etc. Lawn and Landscape Irrigation Limitations

• April - May: Water no more than once per week
• June - September: Water no more than twice per week
• October - November: Water no more than once per week
• December - March: Do not water (landscape can be dormant).

Tips for residential water customers from the City of Pleasanton:

Top Ten Indoor Water Saving Habits

1. Replace inefficient dishwashers, cloths washers, and toilets with new high-efficiency models.
2. Only wash your clothes and dishes when you have a full load.
3. When you are washing dishes, turn the water off between rinses.
4. If you are waiting for the tap to warm up, catch the excess water and put it aside for later use.
5. In the bathroom, install low-flow showerheads and put aerators in your sink faucets.
6. Take shorter showers and turn your shower off while soaping up – challenge yourself and family members to reduce their shower time!
7. Don’t leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
8. Check and fix leaky toilets and faucets – Just 1 small leak can waste 5,000 gallons a year!
9. If you take a bath, use less water than you normally would to fill the tub.
10. Don’t use the toilet as a trash can – Only flush when necessary.

 Outdoor Watering & Landscaping

On average, nearly 50% of your water consumption occurs outside of the house. Inefficient outdoor watering can actually double the cost of your water bill!

Top 10 Outdoor Water Saving Changes

1. Change your lawn watering to every 3 days - or once per week.
2. Don’t mow lower than 2 ½ - 3 ½ inches to help promote lawn root growth – reducing your lawn’s need for frequent watering.
3. Shut off the sprinklers when it’s going to rain and during the cold winter months – water only when your plants need it!
4. Water in the mornings, before 10am, to reduce evaporation.
5. Periodically adjust your sprinklers to insure they’re watering your garden, not pavement.
6. Update parts of your irrigation system with a drip system – this will put water only where it’s needed.
7. Use mulch, like bark or wood chips, around your plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool.
8. Xeriscape – landscape your yard with drought-tolerant plants and reduce your lawn area.
9. Make sure your landscaper is familiar with your water conservation approach, and tends to your yard accordingly.
10. Never leave the hose running when washing the car.