Water Conservation: It's for Life    

Drought is here, don't be left high and dry with water-saving ideas. Reducing water use inside and out during the warm, dry summer months will save water for services that need it most. Make simple changes to your routine or install WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures and irrigation equipment to stay one step ahead of dry weather.    

As you and your family learn more about being water wise, it is important to remember, we are asking our community to reduce their water usage by 15%  from 2020, to ensure our water is here for years to come.

Learn about sustainable landscaping and gardening from home:     

• Interested in planting water-wise landscaping but not sure how to start? Join Alden Lane Nursery’s Jacquie Williams-Courtright in an exploration of California native and drought-tolerant plants suited to the Tri-Valley. Register here!

• View past Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency webinars here! 

ADOPT THESE HABITS FOR LIFE-LONG WATER SAVINGS  

• Limit outdoor watering to no more than 2 days per week in September. In September, plants' water needs drop by approximately 30 percent even if the temperature is hotter, due to the days being shorter, thus evaporation decreases. Also plants begin to go into dormant phase where they need less water. This rapid drop in water needs will continue in October and November. (Download our Recommended Year-Round Watering Schedule for more information).

• Learn how to detect common household leaks here: Indoor and Outdoor Leak Detection

•  Potable water shall not be used for hose or power washing of driveways, sidewalks, and other hardscapes.

•  Eliminate water runoff from irrigation by shortening watering time and adding multiple watering cycles.

•  Water landscaping between midnight and 6 am to reduce water loss from wind and evaporation.

• Turn off the controller when rain is expected. Watering outdoors is prohibited during and within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.

•  Wash cars, trucks, etc., with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle - and remember - no water may enter the storm drain system (this includes the gutter).

•  CHECK FOR & FIX ALL leaks in and around your home and/or business regularly; these include leaky toilets, faucets, showers, sprinklers, and valves.

•  Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, shaving, or dish washing by hand.

•  Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.

•  Install water-efficient devices, such as low flow faucet aerators and shower heads. Receive up to 3 free low flow water devices!

• Take shorter showers. Reducing your showering time by 5 minutes can save up to 12.5 gallons of water! 

•  Keep your pool covered when it's not in use - this will significantly reduce water loss from evaporation.

• Register for the NEW & FREE Customer Water Portal (https://pleasantonwater.smartcmobile.com). This new portal allows you to monitor monthly, daily and hourly water consumption, and you can sign up for leak notifications for earlier detection (within 24 hours) of possible leaks. For more information, please click here. 

• Learn how to read your water meter, and use it to detect water leaks here:

•  How to Read Your Digital Meter

•  How to Read Your Manual Meter

Learn about water conservation from home. Online Water Conservation Resources:

• Hometown Water: The Lifeline of Pleasanton - The Go Green Initiative and local students present their new documentary, "Hometown Water: The Lifeline of Pleasanton." This video explores the endless importance of water's role in the town of Pleasanton.  Join us in following Pleasanton's water journey, from historical water use to future water necessities, to understanding why it's imperative that we conserve water use now and into the future. 

• Low Water Use Public Gardens Virtual Tour - This collection of gardens, conveys the diversity and beauty of Livermore-Amador Valley native plants and other low-water-use plants. Explore the low-water-use Valley gardens, and get inspired! 

• Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency: Landscape Classes - Free online workshops focusing on sustainable landscaping. 

• Clean Water Program- As we spend more time at home these days, why not try new, pollution-preventing ways to maintain your yard and garden? Protect Fred and Izzy, "Sweep, Don't Hose." 

•  Project Water Education Today (WET) Home and Distance Learning Resources- Project WET wants to ensure that water education continues for people of all ages. Find free and discounted resources to learn more about water!
• Water - Use It Wisely Kid's Page- Take a look around and check out our resources for kids. It is easier to navigate than ever, so kids and adults can poke around, have fun and learn about water conservation in new ways.

• The EPA's WaterSense- WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to encourage water efficiency.

• Save Our Water- Save Our Water’s goal is to make water conservation a life-long habit. Explore the website to discover how you can save water indoors and outdoors!

• Explore Alameda County Watersheds- This is a great tool for explorers, naturalists, educators and citizen scientists!

Local Water Conservation Resources

List of the City's Current Water Conservation Measures

City of Pleasanton's Water Shortage Ordinance PMC 9.30 

City's adopted 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (Appendices), Water Shortage Contingency Plan, and Addendum to 2015 Urban Water Management Plan Demonstrating Reduced Delta Reliance 

Want more help reducing your water use? Check out our Water Conservation Rebates and Services, or call the City of Pleasanton Water Conservation Program: 925-519-5352.

Rescape California is a holistic approach to gardening and landscaping that works in harmony with the natural conditions of the San Francisco Bay Watershed. Bay-Friendly practices foster soil health, conserve water and other valuable resources while reducing waste and preventing pollution.

Visit Lose Your Lawn for information and local resources for removing your lawn. The website has step-by-step videos demonstrating how to use the innovative technique of sheet mulching, a simple method used to enrich the soil in planting areas, establish a new landscape or garden area, or remove a lawn without herbicides.

The Alameda County Master Gardeners are a group of trained volunteers that help residents of Alameda County learn about gardening. They offer a wealth of information from outstanding plants for Alameda County, safe plant pest management, demonstration gardens, and more.

DROUGHT UPDATE

California is now in its second consecutive dry year. The Tri-Valley's water agencies, including the City of Pleasanton, are requesting for voluntary conservation to help protect our water supply resources. As we have learned, in California, mindful use of water is always important. Therefore, year-round Conservation Measures remain in effect to prevent water waste. Furthermore, the State Water Board continues to develop new legislative requirements to address water reliability through the Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life Plan. The City is invested in participating in the planning for these new legislative changes and their future influence on how to assist our water customers to continue to follow best practices for water use. 

For more information about the City of Pleasanton Water Conservation Program please contact: jswenson@cityofpleasantonca.gov