May 11, 2023

Drought & Water Conservation Update

City of Calistoga ends Stage II Water Emergency; Request Voluntary Conservation Efforts

Following the driest 3-year period in recorded state history, Calistoga along with the State of California has been extremely fortunate to experience a powerful, drought-busting winter. Calistoga now has over 3.7 years’ worth of water supply, equivalent to 2,816 acre-feet (917 million gallons). Correspondingly, on May 2, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-031, Rescinding Stage II Water Emergency that had been in place since spring of 2021, and adopted a resolution that transitions us back to voluntary water use restrictions as prescribed by Stage I Best Management Practices (see Exhibit A).

Despite a wet winter and an end to the Stage II Water Emergency, we encourage the community to make water conservation a way of life and reduce your water footprint in preparation for the next drought. To aid you in this process and reduce your costs, the city offers FREE water saving fixtures and tools, as well as water efficiency rebates for the replacement of old, inefficient toilets, washing machines, and turf conversion (“Cash for Grass”). Simple actions like installing high efficiency toilets, showerheads, and converting thirsty lawns to drought tolerant landscapes have contributed to a 28% reduction in water demand since 1994.

The City of Calistoga wants to congratulate and applaud Calistogans for their community oriented “can-do” attitude that brought conservation to fruition. In fact, Calistogans reduced water use citywide by about 14% last year and saved close to 60 million gallons of water since July 2021!

Please visit Conservecalistoga.org for more information on water conservation.

City of Calistoga

Stage I Voluntary Water Conservation Best Management Practices (“BMP”)

All Water Customers:

1. Outdoor irrigation with potable water only during the early morning hours to reduce evaporation loss with an odd/even address watering schedule (odd addresses water Tuesday, and Friday and Sunday; and even water Monday, and Thursday and Saturday). No outdoor irrigation on Wednesday with potable water.

2. Irrigation is not permitted during or 48 hours after measurable rainfall. Measurable rainfall is ¼” in a calendar day (mid-night to mid-night).

3. Irrigation may not spray onto paved areas and sidewalks.

4. All newly permitted pools and spas are required to have a pool cover installed prior to final inspection.

5. No washing sidewalks, driveways, patios, or other paved areas with potable water. Buildings may be pressure washed twice a year.

6. No noncommercial washing of privately owned motor vehicles, trailers and boats except from a bucket and hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

7. Any use of water from a fire hydrant is prohibited, except for fighting fires and line flushing required by regulatory agencies.

8. No use of potable water for dust control or compaction at construction sites.

9. Newly constructed homes and buildings using potable water for outside irrigation shall install drip or micro-spray systems.

10. The use of portable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature is permitted where the water is part of a recirculating system.

11. Inspect all irrigation systems, repair leaks, and adjust spray heads to provide optimum coverage and eliminate avoidable over-spray.

12. Run full loads through dishwasher.

13. Wash full loads of laundry.

Restaurant Specific (in addition to above):

1. Tap water is provided to customers only upon request.

2. Scrape all dishes prior to rinsing.

Hotel and Spa Specific (in addition to above):

1. Hotels and motels must clearly and prominently display notice of option to reuse towels. 

Rebates - Please Read the Application Forms Completely to Understand the Requirements.

Cash for Grass - Turf Replacement Rebate: $1.00 per square foot to replace eligible lawn areas with: low-water-use, climate-appropriate plants or permeable hardscape.

NEW: as of 1/1/23 applicates who expect to receive $600 or more must fill out and return a IRS form W-9 with their rebate application. 

Download the Cash for Grass application form: English Español

High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Replacement Rebate: Maximum $125.00 (1.1 GPF) rebate on HETs for the replacement of toilets consuming 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) or more. Download the HET application form: English  Español

High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate: Maximum $200.00 rebate for the purchase of a front-loading, EnergyStar rated, high-efficiency clothes washer. The new clothes washer must be front-loading and ENERGY STAR rated. The old clothes washer must have been manufactured in 2014 or earlier and be top-loading. For complete details, download the Clothes Washer application form: English  Español

Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet (UHET) Rebate for Commercial and Multi-Family Properties: For commercial properties or multi-family residential properties with 3 or more units, property owners or managers may receive $50 per toilet, up to 10 toilets. Existing toilets must be 1.6 gallons per flush or more, and the replacement toilets must be 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) or less. Download the 2022 Commercial UHET Rebate - Application Form

Tips for Saving Water at Home

Conserving water is easier than you think. Let’s work together to reach our 20% water use reduction goal by individually taking action.

Here are 5 simple INDOOR actions every Calistogan can take to reduce their water usage:

Water Conservation Kits

FREE Water Conservation Kits may include a low flow shower head, bathroom sink aerators, and a water displacement bag for older toilets (pre-1994 models), leak detection dye tablets, a garden hose nozzle, and a shower timer. Posters and other educational materials are also available by request.

California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

For more information, contact: 

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