Water Conservation

8

***STAGE 2 MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION IN EFFECT***

Our region just experience the third driest water year on record over the last 127 years.  As of August 4, 2022, Lake Sonoma storage is at 50.5% of water supply capacity and Lake Mendocino is at 62.8%.  Sonoma Water and the City of Rohnert Park are continuously monitoring the water supply conditions.  For more information about the impacts of low rainfall on our water supply, visit www.sonomawater.org/current-water-supply-levels.  

In the long run, even accounting for dry years, Rohnert Park’s water supply can meet the needs of our current residents and the growth we’re seeing with new housing.

Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation Measures

The City of Rohnert Park has initiated Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which requires customers to reduce water use by 20%. The following mandatory water conservation measures are in effect:

  • No irrigation runoff is allowed. This includes parking lots, roadways, non-irrigated areas, walkways, sidewalks, and and structures.
  • Washing your vehicle is prohibited, except at facilities using recycled or recirculating water.
  • Using water to clean driveways and sidewalks is prohibited (examples include power washing, spraying, etc.). Exceptions include health and safety or construction, with limited exceptions.
  • The filling of new pools is prohibited.
  • Water features cannot be used, except where the water is part of a recirculating system (and limited exceptions).
  • Restaurants will serve water only upon request.
  • Hotels and motels will launder linens upon request.
  • Irrigation is limited to hours of 8:00 pm to 6:00 am.

The City of Rohnert Park is committed to water conservation. City staff is here to help our residents and businesses conserve water and reduce the discharge of wastewater through a variety of programs, services, tools, tips and rebates.

For water-saving tips, please visit: www.SavingWaterPartnership.org

Report water waste here: Reach Rohnert Park Online Reporting or email [email protected]

For questions, concerns, and variances please call 707-588-3300

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why are we building new housing during a drought?

    There is a critical shortage of housing in Sonoma County and residents use less water than ever before. Our residents are using 16% less water than compared to 2013, even with the addition of new homes. In addition to expanding the use of recycled water, new housing must have low-flow plumbing and drought tolerant landscaping. Because of these changes and others, in the long run, even accounting for dry years, Rohnert Park’s water supply can meet the needs of our current residents and the new housing.

  2. Where do we get our water?

    We have three sources of water: 45% from the Russian River, 35% from groundwater, and 20% from recycled wastewater. The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) relies on the Russian River and two reservoirs, Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.

    The recycled water irrigates our parks and street medians, landscapes at schools and some businesses, Roberts Lake, Foxtail Golf Course and Sonoma State University.

  3. What is the status of the drought?

    The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) provides water for 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water relies on the Russian River and two reservoirs. As of August 4, 2022, Lake Sonoma storage is at 50.5% of capacity and Lake Mendocino is at 62.8%. The state has imposed water restrictions this year. For more information about the impacts of low rainfall on the Russian River this year visit www.sonomawater.org/current-water-supply-levels.

  4. Is the City's water supply enough to get us through the drought?

    Yes, we have enough water to get us through the drought. In the long run, even accounting for dry years, Rohnert Park’s water supply can meet the needs of our current and new residents.

    2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP)

  5. Does the City have a Water Shortage Contingency Plan?                                                         Yes, we do! The City of Rohnert Park has a water contingency plan. A 2022 update of Rohnert Park's Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) can be found here.  

  6. If we have enough water to get us through the drought, why are we focused on conserving?

    The state’s water restrictions are based on the overall state and regional situations. The state does not account for local conditions such as those in Rohnert Park, where we have enough water.

  7. What is the City doing to save water?

    The City is taking several steps including:

    1. Promoting water conservation messaging.
    2. Making it easier to report water waste on the City's website and Reach Rohnert Park app.
    3. Increasing enforcement against those who waste water. We initially place a door hanger to help educate the water water, and then issue fines if problems continue.
    4. Offering rebates for low-flow toilets and clothes washers, and giving away low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators and water-saving nozzles.
    5. Offering Cash for Grass which provides a $1 per square foot rebate, up to 1,000 square feet of lawn removed.

  8. What can I do to help save water?

    Irrigation accounts for approximately 50% of summertime water use. By turning off irrigation during the winter and conserving water in the warmer months, we can achieve our community-wide 20% water savings goal.

    • Purchase a front-load washing machine and/or high efficiency toilet.
    • Run the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads only.
    • Consider replacing your lawn with a low-water use alternative landscape. The City of Rohnert Park is offering $1 per square foot rebate through our Cash for Grass program.

    For other ideas, go to www.savingwaterpartnership.org. 

Gallons Per Person Per Day

Rebate Information

The City offers rebates to help residents save water. To download an application please click on the banners or links below or call 707-585-6750 for more information.

Green House Call for Homeowners and Renters - NEW!

Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a Bay Area non-profit, partners with cities and PG&E Energy Watch Partnerships to deliver the California Youth Energy Services program (CYES). CYES employs local young adults in meaningful, positive work experience where they can make a difference in their community, help the environment, and shape their future success. Youth Energy Specialists work in teams of two to provide neighbors with no-cost Green House Calls. By installing energy and water saving devices in local homes, Rising Sun Energy Center prevents 28 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year.
Receive an energy and water conservation assessment and installation at no cost. Staff will check homes for efficiency, install equipment, and provide personalized recommendations for further savings. Staff will evaluate all water devices, inspect water pressure, and check for leaks. Residents receive free materials and services that reduce their water consumption. For more information or to be placed on the list to receive a Green House Call, please call (510) 665-1501.

High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebate for Residential Customers

Receive up to $150 for the purchase of a new high-efficiency toilet. These HETs flush with 1.28 gallons of water (or less). New toilets must replace toilets that flush 3.5 gallons or more (Pre-1992). Download the application and list of qualifying toilets.

High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate for Residential Customers Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership Logo

Receive $75 for the purchase of a new water-saving, front-load washing machine. Download the application and list of qualifying washers. Please note that this program only rebates High-Efficiency Clothes Washers that are listed as Tier 3 on the Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s (CEE) List.

Report a Leak or Water Waste

To report a leak or water waste please call 707-588-3343 or click here. Please provide the date, time, street address and a brief description of the occurrence.

More Information and Resources

For additional information on Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and the California Water Efficiency Partnership, please contact staff at 707-585-6750.

To sign up for a Green House Call please call 510-665-1501.

Current Water Supply Levels
Low Cost Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home
H2OUSE Water Saver Program
100+ Ways to Conserve
SMSWP Water-wise Gardening
Find a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper

Free Mulch Program

Rohnert Park is offering FREE mulch to residents.  Our mulch pile is located in the Callinan Sports Center parking lot, at 5405 Snyder Lane.  Self-service only so bring your shovel and load up as much as you want!

Cash 4 Grass

The City of Rohnert Park is offering residents a cash rebate of $1 per square foot of turf replaced.  In order to be eligible for the program, applicants must:

  • Be a water customer of the City of Rohnert Park AND the owner of the property (residential only).
  • Agree to brief pre- and post-installation inspections.
  • At the pre-inspection visit lawns must be green, regularly mowed, irrigated, and well taken care of. Dead lawns or lawns already removed at the time of the pre-inspection will not be eligible for rebate.
  • Replace lawn with water-conserving plants, vegetable gardens, or other low-water-using plant material, using sufficient mulch material around new plants.
  • Modify the lawn irrigation system so that newly landscaped areas are served through a separate valve that can be controlled independently. Existing lawn sprinkler heads must be removed.
  • Install a drip system for all new plant material (sprayheads are unacceptable).
  • Agree to not reinstall turf. If turf is reinstalled, the entire rebate amount must be returned.

Applicants are ineligible for the program if:

  • You replace your lawn with a pool, building extensions, hardscape or non-drought tolerant landscaping.
  • Well water is used to irrigate the landscaping.
  • Your replacement project is irrigated with the same sprinklers as the replaced lawn area.

In order to participate applicants must:

Step 1: Call the City of Rohnert Park Office at (707) 588-3300 and schedule a brief pre-inspection visit.

Step 2: After pre-inspection of site is completed and project is approved, proceed with replacement project.
Your project must receive pre-approval in order to qualify for rebate. Project must be completed within 120 days from the date of approval.

Step 3: Schedule a post-installation inspection upon completion of project. Post-inspection must take place within the 120-day period of the pre-inspection.

Step 4: Mail in your application (make copies for your own files). Rebates are for square feet of lawn removed only. No labor or material costs will be reimbursed.

Program is available while funding lasts. Resolution No. 2021-093

The City of Rohnert Park is committed to water conservation. City staff is here to help our residents and businesses conserve water and reduce the discharge of wastewater through a variety of programs, services, tools, tips and rebates. 

Watch a virtual tour of the Water Reuse System at the Laguna Treatment Plant, where sewage from homes and businesses is treated to become recycled water:
www.srcity.org/1052/Water-Reuse