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Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) customers have used 30% less potable water than in the same period last year since the district adopted mandatory water use restrictions in May.
According to DSRSD, over the past two months, the conservation rate has been around 35%, which has helped the district get closer to its 25% reduction target for the year.
In August 2013, per-person consumption was 175 gallons per day — which went down to 107 gallons this August.
“We will need to maintain the current high level of conservation through the fall to reach our goal by the end of the year,” says Operations Manager Dan Gallagher. “Our customers have responded well in a tough situation, and we’re counting on them to keep conserving. Next year could be dry, too.”
DSRSD, who provides wastewater treatment to Pleasanton and partners with the City of Pleasanton in producing recycled water, declared a Community Drought Emergency after its wholesale supplier Zone 7 Water Agency reduced 2014 allocations to all Tri-Valley water retailers by 25%.
Customers were required to cut potable water irrigation in half and to run in-ground sprinklers no more than twice a week during the summer. Starting Oct. 1, sprinklers can be used once per week and must be turned off from December through March.
“As the nights get longer and cooler, plants grow more slowly and can get by with less water. We always see water use taper off in the fall. This year our customers just have to be deliberate about it. Set sprinklers to run no more than once a week starting October 1 and turn them off by December,” Gallagher says.
The district provides its customers with a free online portal where they can monitor their water use, see how close they are to their weekly limit, and set up text or email alerts to help meet reduction goals. Nearly 5,000 customers have registered for the portal since it opened in May.
