Water Conservation

Water is a precious resource and is an important necessity for our health, the sustainability of the environment, and for the livelihood of our businesses. We all share a responsibility to conserve water and preserve the quality of our water. Look and see what you can do today to start conserving water for tomorrow. Simple choices can make a big difference!!

Conservation in the Home:

Free Showerheads and Aerators – The Santa Clara Valley Water District offers FREE low-flow showerheads, kitchen and bath faucet aerators and toilet leak detection tablets. Call (408) 265-2607 ext. 2554 to request your FREE water conservation devices today!

Water Wise House Calls - Find those lousy leaks with Water Wise House Calls. Residents can call or apply online for a FREE Water-Wise House Call. A trained technician will come to the home, check for leaks, and provide customized water use tips and outdoor watering schedules. Previous participants have lowered their water use by an average of 30 gallons per day, or 11,000 gallons per year. For more information click here.

High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebate - The Santa Clara Valley Water District is offering a rebate of $125.00 to Santa Clara County residents for the replacement of any toilet rated at 3.5 gallons per flush or greater, with a new High Efficiency, or Dual Flush toilet. Only toilet models approved by SCVWD will qualify for the rebate. Prior to receiving application materials, pre-approval must be obtained.  Call (877) 874-8479 for rebate approval and to request a rebate application (an on-site inspection may be required to receive approval). Visit the Santa Clara Valley Water District for more information.

Residential Washing Machine Rebates - Clothes Washers are responsible for up to 20% of the average household´s annual water consumption. The Santa Clara Valley Water District offers a combined water energy rebate of $175 for Tier 3 rated washing machines. To review the list of qualifying washing machines or to request a rebate application visit the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Program Information.

Water Efficient Landscaping Workshops – Offered each spring to Santa Clara County residents are workshops that cover practical information such as water-saving garden design, plant selection and landscape maintenance. The classes are taught by landscape experts. Please check our website for the next available dates. If you have any questions, please call the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2554. Or, send us an e-mail.

Water Conservation at Work:

Borrow Water Meters - Commercial and industrial customers can borrow water meters from the city to track water use and identify water conservation opportunities. There is a $50 deposit per meter with a 1-year loan period. Full deposit is returned upon verification that the meter is returned in proper working order. Call the Utility Engineering Section at (408) 586–2605 for additional information.

Commercial Clothes Washer Rebate Program - The Santa Clara Valley Water District is offering rebates of up to $400 per unit on purchased and leased high–efficiency commercial washing machines. To find out more about the program click here on how to participate and clean up on the savings.

Water Efficient Technologies (WET) Program – Want to lower your water, sewer or energy costs? The Santa Clara Valley Water District and the City of San Jose offer rebates to any business that makes process changes that conserve water and reduce wastewater flows. Call (408) 265-2607 ext. 2951 for more information.

Water Hotlines:

City of Milpitas Water Conservation and Urban Runoff Hotline: (408) 586-2605 City of San Jose Distribution Hotline: (408) 277-2600 Santa Clara Valley Water District: (408) 265-2607, ext. 2554

Fun Facts:

• If everyone in the US flushed one less time per day, we could conserve a lake full of water.
• If one person in every four avoided the free glass of water at a restaurant, we would conserve more than 26 million gallons of water.
• A faucet drip or invisible toilet leak that total only two tablespoons a minute come to 15 gallons a day. That´s 5460 wasted gallons of water a year!!
• The City of Milpitas is here to serve all MILPITAS RESIDENTS by providing water conservation information.

Preparing For the Summer:

• Delay, if possible, any new landscaping until fall.
• If you need to plant landscaping, plant by mid-April and use plants from the WaterWise plant list.
• If you have an underground irrigation system, check the system for leaks, broken or misdirected heads or for misting. Misting heads are caused by too much pressure and can be corrected with a pressure reduction valve.
• Add mulch up to four inches deep to shrub beds to retain moisture.
• Do not fertilize grass after May 1.
• If you are buying a new home, be sure the builder provides at least 6 inches of good quality soil for all landscaped areas.
• If you have less than 6 inches of soil at your home, top dress with * two * inches of Dillo Dirt once a year to build up the soil depth.
• Purchase a rain barrel or a complete rainwater harvesting system.

Links for Water Conservation:

Annual Water Quality Report

San Jose Recycle Water

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Slow the Flow