California's Water Conditions California is experiencing a severe drought. The State Water Resources Control Board has adopted new emergency water use regulations to combat the drought. Visit our drought update page at cityofpaloalto.org/water for the latest information. Our water supplier, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), has continued its call for 10% voluntary water use reductions. We are asking all customers to do whatever they can to help us meet our water use reduction goals.
Water Conservation The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) partners with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to offer free services and rebates so you can enjoy, protect and use water wisely. For more information about water and energy savings, including free surveys of your business operations, please contact your Account Representative or call CPAU Marketing Services at (650) 329-2241.
Leak Detection & Repair Do you know how to check your business (or home) for leaks? View these easy steps in a short video.
Water Efficiency Rebate Amounts have Increased! For a short term only, some rebate amounts for water efficiency programs have been increased to encourage further water use reductions during drought conditions. These increased rebates are available through June 31, 2015 and certain restrictions apply. Apply today to take advantage of this great offer!
Landscape Water Use Survey Free landscape irrigation surveys are available for select non-residential facilities with a minimum of 5,000 square feet of irrigated landscape. The survey includes site-specific recommendations for improving irrigation system efficiency and analysis of potential water and cost savings. It also qualifies sites to participate in the Landscape Rebate Program. Visit the SCVWD webpage for additional information on the program.
To schedule a Landscape Survey, contact your Account Representative or the SCVWD Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554.
Landscape Rebate Program Water-wise landscapes save water, time and money. Watch our short video. The Landscape Rebate Program provides rebates for improving outdoor water use efficiency by replacing irrigated turf grass and upgrading to efficient irrigation equipment. Palo Alto businesses are eligible for rebates of up to $3 per square foot of turf grass removed and replaced with qualifying materials. Converted landscape areas must be covered by at least 50% with approved plants. Irrigation systems, if used within the converted area, must be low-volume drip, micro spray or bubbler.
This increased rebate amount is only available until December 31, 2015 and certain restrictions apply. Now is a great time to tackle your landscape project and take advantage of this limited offer.
Call the SCVWD Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554 to schedule a pre-inspection or to participate in the Landscape Survey Program. Visit the SCVWD webpage for more information.
Additional rebates have increased for most of the following landscape irrigation hardware:
Weather-based irrigation controllers
Rain sensors
High-efficiency nozzles
Rotary sprinklers or spray bodies with pressure regulation and/or check valves
Irrigation hardware rebate amounts vary based upon the project materials and cost.
Remember to ALWAYS call before you dig! Dial 811 for Underground Service Alert (USA) at least 48 hours before you or your excavator begins digging to ensure it is safe. Learn more about gas utility safety information.
Free High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) and Urinal (HEU) Direct Installation Businesses, schools and apartment buildings with tank-type and flush-valve toilets that flush at 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) or greater can receive free high efficiency toilets that flush at 1.28 gpf or less. Facilities with urinals that flush at 1.0 gpf or greater can receive a free flush valve retrofit kit, which reduces the flush volume to 0.5 gpf. Installation is included in this free service.
Visit the SCVWD webpage for more information on this free direct install program.
To schedule a free HET or urinal flush valve kit installation, call Southwest Environmental at (800) 307-5700.
High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate Rebates of up to $125 are available for replacing inefficient toilets with qualifying PREMIUM model High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) which are WaterSense certified, flush at 1.06 gallons per flush (gpf) or less and achieve a MaP flush performance score of at least 600 grams of waste removed in a single flush.
Rebates of up to $50 are available for installing WaterSense certified HETs that have been MaP tested and flush at 1.28 gpf or less.
The HET category includes both single and dual-flush fixtures. Rebates are approved for toilets that have not previously been replaced or rebated through a similar program.
For applications and more information, please call (877) 874-8479 or visit the SCVWD HET webpage. Learn about it in this short video.
View the full list of WaterSense certified products. MaP stands for the Maximum Performance scale that rates toilet efficiency and flush performance and provides detailed information on individual toilet characteristics. Learn more about the MaP testing.
High-Efficiency Urinal (HEU) Rebate Businesses and schools with urinals that flush at 1.0 gallons per flush (gpf) or greater may be eligible for rebates for replacing existing fixtures. Rebates are up to $300 for qualifying models. New urinals must flush at no greater than 0.125 gpf (one pint) and be WaterSense certified to qualify.
Visit the SCVWD webpage for more information on the program.
High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate - Temporary Increase in Rebate Funding! Property managers and owners of laundromats or multi-family common laundry rooms can receive rebates of $800 for installing approved high-efficiency clothes washer models. This increased rebate amount is only available until September 30, 2014. Apply today to take advantage of this terrific offer!
Learn more information on the SCVWD webpage and contact Karen Koppett from SCVWD at (408) 630-2707 or kkoppett@valleywater.org for application materials.
Connectionless Food Steamer Rebate - Temporary Increase in Rebate Funding! Businesses, schools, commercial kitchens and other non-residential facilities may be eligible to receive rebates for replacing connected food steamers with connectionless models. Rebate amount is up to $1,000 per compartment in each model. This increased rebate amount is only available until September 30, 2014. Apply today to take advantage of this terrific offer!
Qualifying models are listed on the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier B list (≤ 4 gallons/hour/compartment). View the complete list of qualifying models.
Air-Cooled Ice Machine Rebate Businesses, schools, commercial kitchens and other non-residential facilities may be eligible to receive rebates for replacing water-cooled ice machines with air-cooled ice machines. Rebate amount is up to $1,000 per machine. Any machine on this approved list qualifies for the rebate.
Visit the SCVWD webpage for more information on the program.
Custom or Measured Rebate - Temporary Increase in Rebate Funding! Custom rebates are available for upgrading or replacing water-using equipment to improve efficiency. Eligible projects must reduce water use by at least 100 hundred cubic feet (CCF) per year. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis while funding lasts. Some restrictions apply. Apply today to take advantage of increased funding!
It's easy to apply and your water-saving project may qualify for additional funding through CPAU's energy-saving incentives in the Commercial Advantage Program.
For details, visit the SCVWD webpage, contact your Utility Account Representative or the City's water conservation specialist at (650) 329-3181.
Water Submeter Rebate Rebates are available for property managers and owners of mobile home parks and condominium complexes for changing from a master water meter to individual water submeters. The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) offers a rebate of up to $100 per installed water submeter. Applicants must contact SCVWD for an application package prior to a project start.
Free Conservation Devices and Marketing Tools CPAU and SCVWD offer a variety of free water conservation devices and items to help remind customers of easy ways to use water efficiently. View the full list here. Contact your Account Representative or the SCVWD Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554 to request any of the following:
Low-flow showerheads
Low-flow faucet aerators
Toilet leak detection tablets and toilet flappers
Pre-rinse spray nozzles
Posters and fliers
Static cling window and mirror stickers
Table tents for restaurants - "Drinking water served upon request."
