• Don't leave the water running. Turn off the tap while washing dishes. Fill the sink or a pail to wash and rinse dishes.
• Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Even a small leak from worn washers can waste more than 50 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
• Equip faucets with aerators. Installing aerators on kitchen and bathroom sinks can reduce indoor water use by about 4 percent.
• Upgrade to an efficient clothes washing machine. High-efficiency clothes washers can reduce water and energy use by 40 percent.
• Wash only full laundry loads. You don't need to do laundry every day. Wait until you have a full load of laundry to run the clothes washing machine and you'll save on water, wastewater and energy costs.

Conservation Tips: In the Bathroom...

• Check your toilet flapper. Over time, the flapper in your toilet tank becomes worn and does not work effectively to stop leaks into the etoilet bowl. Flappers can be easily found at hardware stores and are simple to install.
• Install low-flow showerheads. Replace older showerheads with new efficient models that use 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Older models can flow up to 7 gallons per minute and can waste thousands of gallons per month. Today's efficient models still produce great water pressure.
• Take shorter showers. Limit showers to the time it takes to lather up, wash down and rinse. A running shower can waste up to 7 gallons per minute.
• Change everyday habits-- turn off the tap! Running the water while brushing teeth and shaving can waste hundreds of gallons every month.
• Replace your old toilet. Toilets are the largest water user in the home.
• New high-efficiency toilet models flush at 1.2 gallons or less as opposed to older models, which use up to 7 gallons per flush.
• Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket. Even material like dental floss and cotton balls aggregate into large balls in the sewer system, and can lead to clogged pipes and overflows. Dispose of your waste in the garbage, not the toilet.

Outdoor Conservation

Overview

Hillsborough residents use a significant amount of water on their landscapes. Over two-thirds of all water used in Hillsborough is used for irrigation, pools and other outdoor purposes. However, water conservation efforts have traditionally focused on indoor water use (water efficient toilets, shower heads, washing machines, etc). Reducing outdoor water use represents the greatest opportunity for Hillsborough to conserve water. The Town has implemented several new programs to promote outdoor water conservation.

Hillsborough Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

The Town adopted its Water Efficiency in Landscaping Ordinance (“WELO”) on June 14, 2010 in order to comply State Law AB1881, “The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act”. The Ordinance became effective August 14, 2010 and requires that all applicable landscape projects install water efficient landscapes and irrigation systems. Applicable projects include those requiring design review, building or landscape permits and new or expanded water service, with new irrigated landscape areas 2,500 square feet or greater (including water features).

Applicable projects shall demonstrate compliance with the Ordinance during the Planning review process. The following documents have been created to guide you through the WELO requirements and will be required to be submitted to the Planning Department with your landscape plans.

• Water Efficiency in Landscaping Summary
• Tier 1 Landscape Submittal Checklist
• Tier 2 Landscape Submittal Checklist

In addition, applicable projects shall submit the following documents for approval as a condition of permit:

• “Outdoor Water Use Efficiency” Checklist (MS Excel)
• Water Budget Calculator Worksheet (if applicable):
  • Interactive Version (MS Excel)
  • "Print and Complete" Version (PDF)
• Landscape and Irrigation Plan Set
• Post-Installation Audit Report

Please call 650-375-7411 with any questions regarding the Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance. Also, please check out these additional outdoor water conservation resources which may be helpful on your project.

Water Conservation Rebates

There are no outdoor water conservation rebates available at this time but please check here in the future as rebates may become available.

Outdoor Conservation Tips

• Plant drought-tolerant species. Reduce outdoor water needs by planting species appropriate for the Bay Area's dry climate.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. Over-watering the lawn is a common wasteful practice. Step on your lawn. If the grass springs back up when you remove pressure, it doesn't need watering. 
• Deep-soak your lawn. Remember to water long enough to deep-soak grass roots -- this will reduce the frequency of watering schedules. A light sprinkling will sit on the surface of the turf and easily evaporate.
• Water during the cool part of the day. Reduce evaporation by watering lawns and plants only at night or early morning before dawn.
• Place mulch around trees and plants. A layer of mulch will slow the evaporation of moisture from your landscape and inhibit the growth of weeds.
• Install shut-off nozzles on all garden hoses. Make sure your garden hose has an automatic shut-off.
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways. Hosing down pavement around your home can waste hundreds of gallons of water. A broom is the proper tool to clean these areas.
• Don't water the pavement. Position sprinkler heads to water lawns and gardens, not the pavement surrounding your landscape.
• Check for broken sprinkler heads and irrigation tubing. Broken sprinkler heads waste water and can potentially damage your landscape. Inspect these systems at least once a month.
• Don't let water run while washing the car. Clean the car with a bucket of soapy water. Use the hose only to rinse it off.