• No watering between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• No watering within 48 hours after measurable rainfall
• No excessive landscape runoff
• No washing vehicle, trailer, boat without a shutoff nozzle
• No washing paved or hardscape surfaces
• No water use for non-recirculating fountains
• No watering new home construction landscape except by drip or microspray
• No watering ornamental turf on public street medians
• No serving drinking water except upon request in eating or drinking establishments
• No hotels/motels daily laundering of towels/linens unless requested by a guest

The City recommends the cycle and soak method. This allows the water to slowly get to the roots of turf and plants before it runs off. See our Landscape Watering Schedule recommendations for more information.

Irrigation with City provided potable water is prohibited:

• Between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily
• Within 48 hours after measurable rainfall

In summer months, the hours between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. are the warmest time of day. It is more efficient to irrigate during the cooler hours.

There are no restrictions on filling a pool.

Water use can increase for many reasons; such as sprinkler use or it may indicate a leak. The City suggests you learn to read your water meter and check for leaks. Most customers see an increase in summer water use due to outdoor irrigation. Additional information is available on the City’s website, Water Conservation page.

Yes, it is located at 2251 Elkins Way. Learn more about the Recycled Water Fill Station.

The City offers a free water use evaluation that includes a demonstration on how to read your water meter and check for leaks; reading and calculating current water use; checking all water-using fixtures for leaks and efficiency; reviewing your sprinkler timer and making watering suggestions and answering general water use questions. Customers must be home during the evaluation, which takes approximately 30 minutes. To schedule an appointment call (925) 516-6000 or email savewater@brentwoodca.gov.

To help water customers with their water conservation and drought questions, the City’s website is updated continuously with the latest news; to speak with Water Conservation staff, call (925) 516-6000, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You may also email staff at savewater@brentwoodca.gov.

Some homes in Brentwood pay property taxes to the Contra Costa Water District www.ccwater.com and are eligible for rebates and programs offered through the Contra Costa Water District. You can check your property tax bill to determine if you are eligible.

There are no rebates at this time.

Stage I
During Stage I, water alert conditions are declared and voluntary water conservation is encouraged. The City has an ongoing public information campaign that relies on the distribution of literature, speaking engagements, bill inserts, and conservation messages in local newspapers and on the City’s Water Conservation web page. The drought situation is explained to public and government bodies through these information campaigns. In addition, the City explains other stages, forecasts future actions, and requests voluntary water conservation. Educational programs in area schools are ongoing.

Stage II
During Stage II, the water supply shortage is moderate (10 percent to 20 percent). Conservation may be voluntary, consist of allotments, and/or include mandatory conservation rules. The level of action increases with the level of shortage. For example, if Stage II is to be implemented all of the provisions in Stage I shall also be implemented. The City aggressively continues its public information and educational programs. The City asks for a 10 percent to 20 percent water use reduction, either voluntary or mandatory. If necessary, the City also supports the passage of drought ordinances.

Stage III
During Stage III, the water supply shortage is considered severe (20 percent to 35 percent). Conservation consists of allotments and mandatory conservation rules. This phase becomes effective upon notification by the City that water usage is to be reduced by a mandatory percentage. The City adopts drought ordinances and implements mandatory reductions. Rate changes are implemented to penalize excess usage.

No.

No, not if it’s fixed in a timely manner. Brentwood Municipal Code 14.01.510 Conservation states: —Water waste prohibited. (B) Failure to correct a malfunctioning device or supply line, where the customer or their agent has known of the problem for more than forty-eight hours.

Follow these tips to find leaks inside or outside your home.

Turn Off the Water
Before you look for leaks, make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your home.

Locate Your Water Meter
Most Brentwood residential water meters are located in the front of the home between the street and the sidewalk. The first step is to check your water meter for movement. Look at the top of the meter. You'll notice a triangle or small dial called a flow indicator. The black triangle or red dial (low flow indicator) will move whenever water is passing through it. If your meter doesn't have a low flow indicator, you can use the sweep hand on the register to indicate water loss. If either the low flow indicator or the sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak or malfunction.

Check Your Toilets
Locating a leak is a process of elimination. Shut off one toilet at a time at the wall. In between each shutoff, go out to the water meter and check your flow indicator. If the flow indicator stopped moving, that means the toilet is the culprit. If the flow indicator is moving, that toilet is not the problem. Something else is causing the water flow.

Check Your Irrigation System
Shut off the valve that serves your sprinkler system. Check the flow indicator at the water meter. If the flow indicator stopped moving, the sprinkler system is the problem.

Check Your Water Softener
Most softeners have a bypass lever. Turn the lever to allow water to bypass the softener. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is no longer moving, you have isolated the leak to your softener. (You also can check for leaking water-cooled air conditioners, ice machines and reverse osmosis units by turning the bypass lever on each and checking the meter.)

Check Your Pool
First turn off the automatic fill valve and place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line. Then place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool. Leave the bucket and pool undisturbed for several hot days, and then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool. If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. If this is the case, contact a pool leak detection specialist for further assistance.

Check Your Main Service Line
First, you need to find your water shutoff valve. This is usually located at the spigot where the water enters the home. Shut off the valve, cutting off all water to your home, and go in the house and turn on a faucet to make sure the water is off. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is moving, the leak is between the shutoff valve and the water meter.

Now What?
If you are not able to find the leak, call a professional plumber to locate and fix the leak(s). If you find a simple leak like your toilet flapper or kitchen faucet, you may want to fix the problem yourself.

A properly managed pool or spa can be an appropriate use of water. Use these tips to help save water and money.

Cover your Pool
An exposed pool loses 50 to 70 gallons of water per square foot per year to evaporation. During the hot summer months, you may lose up to 4 inches of water each week. Pool covers reduce evaporation by 90 percent, limit windblown debris and conserve energy.

Protect the Pool From Wind
Wind exposure can increase evaporation in uncovered pools. Plant trees and shrubs that buffer your pool, but won't shed or drop leaves in the water.

Maintain Pool Filters
Wash cartridge filters when your pump operating pressure increases by 10 psi (pounds per square inch). You can wash cartridges on landscape areas since chlorinated pool water is diluted with clean water. Never allow wash water to run into the street.

Manage Water Quality
Test pool and spa water frequently and maintain appropriate chemical balances.

Heat Pool Conservatively
Warmer water means higher evaporation rates. Professionals recommend 78 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal recreational pool temperature.

Test for Leaks
This four-step bucket test may help you determine if you have a leak or a high evaporation rate.

• Turn off the automatic fill valve.
• Place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line. Place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool.
• Leave the bucket and pool undistributed for several hot days, then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool.
• If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. Contact a pool leak detection specialist.

Drain to the Sanitary Sewer
When you drain your pool or spa to the sanitary sewer, you allow the water to be cleaned and used again, rather than wasted.