Water Conservation

The State Water Resources Control Board and the Governor's office have issued regulations and directives for water conservation in response to the drought. Get information on the state's drought conservation regulations and directives to water customers and water agencies. The city has its own water utility and is following these directives as well as informing its customers on the drought response measures to be followed.

Current Water Conservation Status

The City Council of the City of Cloverdale declared a Stage 1 drought on April 12, 2023. The water conservation measures described below are mandatory. 

When the City experiences drought conditions, the City Council can vote to implement water conservation measures to protect the City's water supply. The water conservation measures are described in detail in the City's municipal code and consist of 6 stages with Stage 1 being the least restrictive.

Water Conservation Stage 1- In effect April 12, 2023

There are six stages of drought defined in the Cloverdale Municipal Code. Stage 1 is a Minor Shortage requiring voluntary reduction of water use. When Stage 1 is in place, all customers are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption of water furnished by the city by the overall reduction amount established by resolution for Stage 1, and all customers of the city are requested to:

  1. Apply irrigation water only during the evening and early morning hours to reduce evaporation losses.
  2. Inspect all irrigation systems, repair leaks, and adjust spray heads to provide optimum coverage and eliminate avoidable over-spray.
  3. For irrigation valves controlling water applied to turf grass, vary the minutes of run-time consistent with fluctuations in weather.
  4. Reduce minutes of run-time for each irrigation cycle if water begins to run off to gutters and ditches before the irrigation cycle is completed.
  5. Become informed about and strictly adhere to the city’s water waste prohibitions (refer to Section 13.05.040).
  6. Utilize water conservation incentive, rebate, and giveaway programs to replace water guzzling plumbing fixtures and appliances with water efficient models.
  7. Take advantage of the free information available from the city on how to use water efficiently, read a water meter, repair ordinary leaks, and how to apply water efficiently to the landscape.
  8. Wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment only with a handheld bucket or a handheld hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
  9. Refrain from refilling any swimming pools, spas, ponds, or fountains.
  10. Refrain from equipping any swimming pools, spas, ponds, and fountains with re-circulating pumps.

For customers already conserving, the City thanks you and asks that you continue to save water and look for additional ways to reduce water use further. If the target savings are not achieved, the City may enact Stage 2 or greater Mandatory Reductions. 

Water Conservation Stage 2 

Requires a 15% reduction in water usage by all residents and businesses. Stage 2 is a Moderate Shortage requiring mandatory reduction of water use. Waste of water is prohibited but individual water usage is not monitored. Customer water leaks must be repaired within 72-hours. Excessive uses of water will receive notification from the City. The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer.

Water Conservation Stage 3

Requires a 25% mandatory reduction in water usage by all residents and businesses. Stage 3 is a Significant Shortage requiring mandatory reduction of water use. The City monitors customer usage and will send notifications for excessive usage. Repeated violations are subject to penalty charges and/or suspension of service. The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer. Water uses not in compliance with this section are declared nonessential and the following restrictions apply:

  1.  All water use consumption reduction measures established in Stage 1 and Stage 2 remain mandatory.
  2. The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer, in an amount established by the city council by resolution.  The water shortage surcharge may be adjusted by the City Manager, in consultation with the city engineer, depending on water use class and water supply conditions.
  3. Irrigation may only occur twice a week.
  4. Any residential water use (excluding irrigation only) in excess of that resulting from application of the Mandatory Residential Rationing Requirement established by the city council, is not permitted.
  5. Any nonresidential water use (excluding irrigation only use and healthcare and public safety use) in excess of that resulting from application of the Overall Mandatory Rationing Requirement established by the city council, is not permitted. Nonresidential water use for healthcare and public safety use shall be the minimum amount necessary to provide such services.
  6. Washing of mobile vehicles is not permitted except for when health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent on frequent vehicle cleanings, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
  7. Use of water from a fire hydrant is not permitted except for use for fighting fires or for any other emergency use deemed essential by the Fire Chief.  Such an emergency use shall require a permit issued by the City Engineer.
  8. Watering of any existing turf grass, ornamental plant, garden, landscaped area, trees, shrubs, or other plants is prohibited except from a handheld hose or container, or drip irrigation system and in compliance with Section 13.05.120 of this chapter.
  9. Watering of new turf grass or replacement turf grass is not permitted.
  10. Initial filling of any swimming pool is not permitted if approval of the construction permit issued by the city was made after the date on which the Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency Condition was declared to exist.
  11. Drinking water will not be served at any restaurant, café, cafeteria, or other public place where food is sold, served, or offered for sale, unless expressly requested by a patron.
  12. New connections to the city’s water system shall be suspended in accordance with section 13.05.120 of this chapter.

Water Conservation State 4 

Requires a 35% reduction in water usage by all residents and businesses. Residential water usage is limited to 65 gallons per person each day. Rationing is mandatory.  The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer. 

Water Conservation Stage 5

Requires a 45% reduction in water usage by all residents and businesses.  Residential water usage is limited to 65 gallons per person each day. Rationing is mandatory. The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer. 

Water Conservation Stage 6

Requires greater than a 50% reduction in water usage by all residents and businesses. The city shall implement a water allotment to decrease water use by all water customers by 55 percent.The city shall implement a water shortage surcharge on water usage charges for each customer. 

CMC 13.05.050-13.05.110

Water Shortage Contingency Plan Levels Table

Stage

Percent Shortage

 Range

Shortage Response Action

 

1

<10%

 

Stage 1, triggered by a reduction in water supply up to 10%, includes the encouragement of voluntary demand reduction measures and the elimination of wasteful water practices. Demand and water waste reduction measures include addressing water leaks, limiting washing of vehicles and paved surfaces, and disciplined irrigation.

 

2

10 – 20%

 

Stage 2, triggered by a reduction in water supply up to 20%, makes mandatory all of the demand reduction measures, and the elimination of wasteful water practices encouraged in Stage 1. A water shortage surcharge is also implemented.

 

3

20 – 30%

 

Stage 3, triggered by a reduction in water supply up to 30%, prohibits washing of vehicles and limits irrigation to two days/week. It also sets

some initial rationing for non-residential uses. The water shortage surcharge will also be increased.

 

4

30 – 40%

 

Stage 4, triggered by a reduction in water supply up to 40%, limits irrigation to one day/week, and established rations for all water use categories. The water shortage surcharge will also be increased.

 

5

40 – 50%

 

Stage 5, triggered by a reduction in water supply up to 50%, prohibits irrigation, and decreases the ration for all water use categories. The water shortage surcharge will also be increased

 

6

 

>50%

Stage 6, triggered by a reduction in water supply over 50%, decreases the ration for all water use categories, and increases the water

 


For more information, please call (707) 894-1728 or email for more information.

Questions

Questions may be sent via email to Customer Service

Resources

BayREN Water Upgrades $ave Program

Cloverdale’s Water Upgrades $ave program makes conserving water easy and affordable. Residents select water-efficient upgrades (toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators) that automatically lower their water use. This translates into savings on their water bills, covering the cost of the upgrades—and then some. To learn more, visit www.waterupgradessave.org or call 877-846-8795.

Save Money and Water with Efficiency Upgrades!

BayREN’s Water Upgrades Save program helps homeowners and single-family renters install water and energy efficient upgrades — like high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, and aerators. You’ll see little-to-no upfront cost and a monthly utility-approved on-bill charge that is significantly lower than the estimated savings. So you start saving right away!

Our vetted contractors install your upgrades. You upgrade your home — and save water and energy.

To learn more about our services and how to enroll, check out our informational video below or download our flyer. You can also submit an enrollment form and we will get in touch with you: 

BayREN Water Upgrades $ave Program Documents