FAQs • Watsonville • CivicEngage

Why not just desalinize sea water and use it for urban and agriculture needs?: The City will monitor efforts by neighboring agencies in the possible development of a desalinization plant. However, it is projected that treated seawater would cost three times as much as our groundwater and required tremendous amounts of energy to operate. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s new Basin Management Plan outlines strategies and projects that would resolve the groundwater overdraft while keeping water rates more affordable. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

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Water Restrictions

1. Am I required to let my lawn to turn brown and die?: It is recommended that you cut back on lawn watering and allow the grass to turn green-brown or completely brown. Most brown lawns will turn green again with winter rains. Lawn areas that are not used for recreation or pets should be considered for replacement. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

2. Am I allowed to wash my car?: At home car washing is only allowed by bucket to prevent water running off the property. When possible, please park car on grass so wash water goes back into the ground and not down the street. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products to prevent pollution. Consider using a commercial car wash where water gets cleaned and recycled. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

3. Do the sprinkler watering restrictions also effect other methods of watering?: No. You may water using drip irrigation, or with a hose with a shut-off nozzle or a watering can on any day. Always direct water right to the plant roots. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

4. When and how am I allowed to water my vegetable garden?: There are not restrictions on vegetable gardens. The restrictions apply to ornamental landscaping. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

5. Why is there so much attention on lawns?: Grass is the thirstiest of all plants. Each square foot of irrigated lawn uses about 40 gallons of water per year. There are many beautiful alternatives, including climate-appropriate plants that use little or no water in the summer after they are established. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

6. What should I do if I see water running off a property?: Please report water waste by calling Customer Service at 768-3133 or send us an email.

7. What will the City do if I report water waste?: The City will always respond with education and technical assistance. The property owner will receive a door hanger or letter about the water waste and offers of assistance from the City. Most people respond well and fix the problem. Most want to stop the water waste and save money on their bills. It is not necessary to leave your name or number when you report water waste. To report waste please call 831-768-3133.

8. Will the City issue fines to residents and businesses?: Yes, the City does issue fines for repeated water waste. Failure to respond after notification can result in fines starting at $50 and increasing to $500 for chronic water wasting. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

9. What about City parks and facilities?: The City has cut water use by 20-30% and in some areas turned off the sprinklers completely for the summer. However, playing fields will be watered enough to maintain a safe environment for our local athletes. Irrigation will be done in the early morning hours. Occasional daytime sprinkler use may be observed only when City staff is testing and repairing irrigation systems. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

10. Is the City rationing water? Is there a limit on how much I can use?: No, the City is not rationing water and there is not a limit for your home or business. Please help the City meet the 20% State mandate by cutting back on indoor and outdoor water use. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

11. Are there any rules for watering trees?: No, there are no rules for watering trees.

12. How can the City help me cut my water use?: Rebates are available for high-efficiency toilets, Energy Star washing machines and lawn removal. If you are not sure where to start, schedule a free consultation by a City water conservation expert. Call Customer Service at 831-768-3133 for more information. You can also find information about rebate procedures and applications.

13. Is the City running out of water?: In the short term, Watsonville is better off than some water agencies, like the City of Santa Cruz that rely on rainwater to fill their reservoirs. However the Pajaro Valley’s groundwater is facing real challenges that we cannot ignore. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

14. Will our water supply be ok once we get good winter rains?: No. We have serious local water problems. In the Pajaro Valley, the water source for both agriculture and urban users is groundwater. Rainwater seeps into the ground and is stored in the aquifer– a naturally-occurring water source in the layers of rock, sand and gravel deep underground. However, even before this drought, water users in the Pajaro Valley were pumping out more water from the aquifer than is replaced by rainfall even in very rainy years. This means the water level in the aquifer is dropping and is now below sea level in much of the Valley. As a result, salty ocean water has seeped into the aquifer and wells along the coast are now unusable. This overdraft was first identified over 50 years ago. The City works closely with the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency and supports their Basin Management Plan. This Plan identifies specific local projects that, once built, are designed to eventually stop the overdraft and the intrusion of salt water into our aquifer. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

15. What is being done to deal with the groundwater overdraft?: The Basin Management Plan outlines projects involving storage and use of winter rain water in College Lake, increased conservation by farmers, and expanded use of recycled water. For more information, visit the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Website.

16. What about recycled water?: In partnership with the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, the City built and operates the Water Recycling Facility. Highly treated waste water that used to be discharged into the ocean is now disinfected and piped to agricultural fields in the coastal area. This new water source has allowed farmers to decrease pumping of groundwater from the aquifer. As a result, we are starting to see a decline in the movement of salt water into the aquifer in the coastal area. The recycled water is used only for agriculture, not drinking water. For more information please call 831-768-3100.

17. Why not just desalinize sea water and use it for urban and agriculture needs?: The City will monitor efforts by neighboring agencies in the possible development of a desalinization plant. However, it is projected that treated seawater would cost three times as much as our groundwater and required tremendous amounts of energy to operate. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s new Basin Management Plan outlines strategies and projects that would resolve the groundwater overdraft while keeping water rates more affordable. For more information please call 831-768-3100.