Between June 2015 and August 2016, Hayward achieved a water use reduction of 24%, as compared to the same months in 2013. This reduction significantly exceeded the 8% target set by the State Water Board.
In May 2016, the State Water Board adopted a Revised Water Conservation Regulation that replaces mandated numerical reductions with conservation standards based on local water supplies. Hayward’s water supplier, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), has verified that no State mandated reductions will be needed to comply with the Revised Regulation at this time. However, SFPUC has requested that agencies achieve a 10% voluntary reduction over 2013 consumption in order to protect available supplies in the event that the coming water year is dry.
Hayward customers have consistently been excellent stewards of water resources and have continued to do their part during the drought. This commitment is in part demonstrated by continued interest in the City’s water conservation programs.
As an example, the total amount of turf area converted into water efficient landscaping through the City’s Lawn Replacement Rebate Program increased by nearly 17%, from 126,000 square feet in FY 2015 to 147,000 square feet in FY 2016.
A new program, introduced in June 2015, provides rebates of up to $100 for the purchase of rain barrels to capture and store rainwater for later use as irrigation water. This program generated significant interest in Hayward, with close to 150 rebates issued in its first year. Other ongoing programs, such as rebates for high efficiency toilets and clothes washing machines, continue to be popular with customers.
For more information on this topic, see
staff's report to the Council Sustainability Committee.
