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| Q: |
Why is SJWC calling for 15 percent mandatory conservation? |
| A: |
SJWC is responding to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (District) March 24, 2009, call for 15% mandatory conservation. Despite the near normal rainfall received this year, many California water agencies are calling for increased conservation because of reduced water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the two dry years experienced in 2007 and 2008. The District’s mandatory conservation call is effective through June 2010.
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| Q: |
Why is the Delta water important? |
| A: |
Here in Santa Clara County, approximately half of our supply comes from the Delta. For 2009, the District estimates that the County will only receive 1/3 of the amount delivered in a normal year.
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| Q: |
What are your rules? |
| A: |
The following rules will remain in effect through June 2010 and include:
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Customers must fix leaks, broken irrigation systems, or broken plumbing fixtures within five (5) days if notified to do so by San Jose Water Company. |
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No outdoor watering more often than every other day with even numbered addresses watering on even numbered days and odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days. |
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No washing down hardscape in a manner which results in excessive run-off or waste. No flooding or run-off allowed in gutters, waterways, patios, driveway, or streets. |
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No outdoor watering with a hose unless using a positive shut-off nozzle. No washing of cars, buses, boats, aircraft, trailers or other vehicles without a positive shut-off nozzle. |
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No use of water for more than minimal landscaping in connection with any new construction. |
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No use of water for construction purposes, unless no other source of water or other method can be used. |
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No use of water for decorative fountains or the filling or topping off of decorative lakes or ponds. Exceptions are made for use of recycled water. |
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No use of water for the complete filling or complete refilling of swimming pools. Topping off of pools for routine maintenance is allowed. |
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No service of water by any restaurant except upon the request of the patron. |
| Q: |
SJWC’s rules differ than those of the City of San Jose’s? |
| A: |
The City of San Jose recently enacted many similar water conservation rules in response to the current water supply situation. However, there are a few areas that differ such as no outdoor watering between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, and no irrigation station shall be on for more than 15 minutes per day. SJWC cannot monitor these rules, only rules that are part of our plan. However, we do recommend customers follow these recommendations as they apply to all residents within the City of San Jose. Customers who live outside of San Jose would only be subject to SJWC’s rules.
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| Q: |
Do you anticipate rate increases, water allocations, or penalties as a result of this action? |
| A: |
Rate increases, water allocations, and penalties as a direct result of the call for additional conservation are not part of this plan.
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| Q: |
What happens if you save more than 15% or not save any water at all? |
| A: |
The 15% conservation goal is for Santa Clara County as a whole. SJWC will not be implementing individual customer allocations (water budgets). We will attempt to meet the 15% conservation goal through the use of the outdoor watering restrictions and waste prohibitions listed above.
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| Q: |
I am already using very little water and I have little or no outdoor irrigation. Do you expect me to conserve more? |
| A: |
SJWC will attempt to meet the County conservation goal of 15% through the use of the outdoor watering restrictions and waste prohibitions listed above. Customers who are already efficient are not the target of our restrictions.
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| Q: |
What if you’ve been managing your irrigation water for years and improving efficiency and saving water: would a person get credit for being a good water manager? |
| A: |
SJWC thanks you for becoming more water efficient. Since customer allocations are not being used there is no need to discuss credit or penalties.
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| Q: |
Will my bank balance from the last drought be reactivated if allocations are called for in the future? |
| A: |
SJWC will not be implementing individual customer allocations as part of this plan. We will attempt to meet the 15% conservation goal through the use of the outdoor watering restrictions and waste prohibitions listed above. Bank balances from the previous drought will not be reactivated if allocations are called for in the future.
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| Q: |
How will the rules be enforced? |
| A: |
SJWC’s goal is to educate and inform our customers on ways to use water more wisely. When the company is notified of a potential water waste activity, an inspection will be conducted to confirm the activity. If the activity is confirmed, the customer will be notified in person or by letter and given 5 days to take corrective action. If the activity is not corrected within this period, a second notice will be sent and the customer is given 3 days to take corrective action. Under very rare instances, SJWC can initiate service flow restrictions and/or shutoff if the water waste continues to occur after the second notice.
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| Q: |
What can SJWC do to help customers conserve? |
| A: |
SJWC has been actively promoting water conservation since the early 1990s and encourages our customers to conserve and use water wisely. The company recently implemented tiered rates to further encourage conservation. We also have a comprehensive water conservation program that includes free water audits, educational materials, and low-flow devices to help our customers conserve water. Currently, the company conducts nearly 2,000 water audits of residential and commercial customers annually. The water conservation program has been very successful as evidenced by the fact that in 2007, we delivered about the same amount of water as we did in 1987, despite serving an additional 80,000 residents.
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| Q: |
What can we do? |
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Please read our newly updated conservation booklet. It contains a variety of tips on how you can start saving water today.
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