City of Santa Clara
MenuThe end of our rainy season saw rainfall totals at just 67% of average. Though we've experienced some unusual rains early this fall, it's important to remain water-wise. Thank you for helping us work toward a 15% voluntary water use reduction, consistent with Valley Water throughout Santa Clara County.
The City of Santa Clara encourages long term water conservation:
Sprinkler/Spray irrigation: permanently NOT ALLOWED between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Commercial, Industrial Institutional (CII) and Homeowners' Association Customers: potable drinking water is prohibited for watering Non-Functional Turf (decorative grass) in Santa Clara County. California legislation AB-1572 goes into effect statewide January 1:
- 2027: Government properties
- 2028: All CII properties
- 2029: Homeowners' Association properties
Available from Water & Sewer Utilities
Pick up free water-saving devices from the Water & Sewer Utilities Office at City Hall during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or order directly from Valley Water free of charge for items & shipping.
Kitchen Aerator
|
|
Bath Aerator
|
|
Showerhead
|
|
Toilet Leak Detection Dye Tablets
|
|
Toilet Flapper
|
|
Garden Hose Nozzle
|
|
Moisture Meter
|
|
Irrigation Screwdriver
|
|
Water-Wise Indoor Survey Kit
|
|
Citywide Water Use Restrictions and Prohibitions
Per Section 1.C of the City’s Potable and Recycled Water System Rules and Regulations, the following restrictions and prohibitions are in effect at all times:
Prohibited for All Water Users
- Irrigating landscape between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Runoff: water flowing on City sidewalks, gutters and/or streets
- Washing any paved surfaced like driveways or sidewalks
- Washing any vehicle using a hose without an operating automatic shut-off nozzle
- Use of decorative fountains, lakes or ponds without a recirculation pump
- Water waste from broken, defective or leaking plumbing, fire system or irrigation system
- Open faucet, hose bib or spigot
- Outdoor watering during or within 48 hours of measurable precipitation
Prohibited for Businesses, Construction & Restaurants
- Watering decorative grass in commercial, industrial or institutional (CII) areas, including common areas of homeowners' associations (HOAs)
- Watering decorative grass on public street medians
- Street cleaning or construction site preparation, if recycled water is available
- Service of water by any restaurant unless requested by a patron
- Installation of a single-pass cooling system
- Installation and/or use of a non-recirculating, decorative fountain
- Construction of a non-recirculating conveyor car wash
- Irrigation of landscapes for newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations/requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Hotels/motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. Notice of this option shall be displayed prominently in each guestroom using easily understood terms and language.
What the City of Santa Clara is Doing
- Reducing system water loss
- Prohibiting filling of decorative water features (except to sustain aquatic life, which must use recirculating water)
- Requiring water used for construction and dust control be recycled water when available
- Restricting new irrigation connections to recycled water when available
- Restricting irrigation on golf courses to recycled water when available
Questions?
Email water@santaclaraca.gov for more information.
Helping Our Urban Trees Help Us
Trees need the right kind of watering to mature into carbon sequestering, urban cooling powerhouses. Deep watering sends roots deep into soil, making trees hardier during dry weather and preventing surface roots from causing damage. Deep watering yields less water long term.
Solid Foundation for New Trees
- Berm: create a ridge of soil creating a basin with the tree trunk in the center to keep water where needed
- Once every two weeks, apply five gallons of water within the berm, keeping the berm intact.
Keeping Old Trees Strong
Established trees do best with heavy, slow watering.
- Apply 80 to 100 gallons three times a year during the warm season.
- Place a soaker hose away from the trunk within the tree’s dripline (the outermost edge of the leaf canopy).
Check your soaker hose's gallon-per-hour output and calculate accordingly. A 50-foot hose watering ½- to 1-gallon per foot per hour must run for about 2 hours to deliver 50 to 100 gallons. It sounds like a lot of water, but at three times per year, the total water cost is $3.20, much less than replacing a hard-working tree!
To report water waste in your neighborhood, complete and submit the online form.
Report Water Waste
