The City of Palo Alto Utilities completed its last update to the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in mid 2011, in line with the deadline requested for submission to the Department of Water Resources. Urban Water Management Plans are designed to assess the reliability of the City’s water sources, support to our long-term resource planning, and ensure adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water demands.
Every five years, an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) is prepared and submitted as required to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), per the Urban Water Management Planning Act. The next update will be completed in mid 2016. The UWMP includes a general discussion of Palo Alto's history, along with an overview of its demo-graphics, water supply sources, water demand, reliability and water shortage contingency planning, and demand-side management (conservation) measures. The City encourages the community to participate in all its water management planning efforts. The final 2010 update to the UWMP and Council Resolution can be found here.
Additional Background and Resources
The City receives most of its water supply from the City and County of San Francisco’s regional system, that is operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Although this water supply is predominantly from the Sierra Nevada,delivered through the Hetch-Hetchy aqueducts, it also includes treated water produced by the SFPUC from its local watersheds and facilities in Alameda and San MateoCounties. City of Palo Alto Utilities customers are also a part of Santa Clara County. The City partners with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to offer residents and businesses a number of free services and rebates designed to assist with using water efficiently.
The City of Palo Alto is a very active member of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA).The BAWSCA members, including the City, receive water from the City and County of San Francisco through a contract that is administered by the SFPUC.
Related Websites
Information on water sources and water supply planning from the SFPUC:
Utilities Operations Office Municipal Service Center 3201 East Bayshore Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303 Electric Phone: 650-496-6934 Fax: 650-493-8427 Water, Gas, Wastewater Phone: 650-496-6982 Fax: 650-496-6924 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00-3:30pm
The City of Palo Alto Utilities completed its last update to the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in mid 2011, in line with the deadline requested for submission to the Department of Water Resources. Urban Water Management Plans are designed to assess the reliability of the City’s water 
The City receives most of its water supply from the 
