Stage 4 Drought Declared By City Council - 35% Water Use Reduction Required

With the Stage 4 Water Emergency declaration, we are asking the community to increase their conservation efforts to reach an additional 10% savings for a total of a 35% reduction in water use over 2020. Overall, the Community responded to the 25% reduction by reducing water consumption. Additional water conservation efforts by the community are now needed to meet the Stage 4 Drought Emergency.

All customers are required to reduce water use by 35% from last year (2020).
Irrigation may only occur once a week.
Residential meters serving single-family detached homes: any water use in excess of 65 gallons per person per day is not permitted
A permit is required for all hydrant use, except for water used for fighting fires or for other emergency use deemed essential by the Fire Chief.
Drinking water at any restaurant, cafe, cafeteria or other public place where food is sold, served or offered for sale may only be provided upon request by a patron.
A surcharge in the amount of 25% will be implemented on September 1, 2021.

For more information about the Stage 4 Water Emergency, click on the following link: News Flash • City of Cloverdale • CivicEngage

Please be advised that the City is taking the drought very seriously. City Staff are actively utilizing door hangers to notify customers engaged in water waste during the Stage 4 Drought Emergency. Door hangers are the first step in the City's enforcement process. Please see below for a copy of the door hanger.

Drought Drop By – August 21 | Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership

Drought Drop By Event at City Plaza - Free Water-Saving Kit

Drop by City Plaza on Saturday, August 21st from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.* to pick up a free water-saving kit:

Bucket to catch water for reuse
WaterSense labeled low flow showerhead
5-minute shower timer
WaterSense labeled low flow faucet aerator
Toilet dye test tablets
Self-closing garden hose nozzle

*While supplies last. Limit one kit per household.

At this event, local COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols.

Helpful Hints to Save Water

The City Council declaration of a Stage 4 Water Emergency is a call to action to conserve water. Please find below conservation tips for saving water indoor and outdoors.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Purchase a front-load washing machine that uses 40% less water.
Don’t let water run while shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing dishes.
When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.
Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can potentially save hundreds of gallons each month.
Check your toilet for leaks.
Learn how to read your water meter.
- How to Read Your Water Meter to Monitor Weekly Usage (English) (PDF)
- How to Read Your Water Meter to Monitor Weekly Usage (Spanish)
Prevent and report water waste. - Report Leaks by calling (707) 894-2150
Run the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads only.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

Water one day per week between midnight and 6:00 a.m. to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind. Water your lawn and garden in 2 short cycles rather than one long one. Watering to a depth of 4 to 6” will encourage deeper healthier roots and allow the plants to go without water for longer periods of time.
Target your water use in your garden by hand watering exactly in the spots that need it.
Inspect and tune-up your sprinkler system monthly. Adjust your sprinkler heads to prevent water draining off your lawn and down the gutter. Reduce sprinkler run-time, and don’t be a gutter flooder.
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean your driveway, deck or patio. Washing a sidewalk or driveway with a hose uses about 50 gallons of water every 5 minutes.
Your water meter is an important conservation tool. It not only measures the amount of water you use, but can also tell you if there is a leak in your plumbing.
Use a bucket and a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle when you wash the car, or take your car to a carwash that recycles. Save water by extending the time between car washes or take your car to a Sonoma Green Car Wash.
Cover pools and hot-tubs to reduce evaporation.
Sheet mulching is a simple technique for converting lawn to a low water use garden and nurturing the soil.

Reach for Home Mobile Outreach Van

Reach for Home Mobile Outreach

Reach for Home is a local not-for-profit organization guided by their vision, "To end homelessness in North Sonoma County." Reach for Home provides various services including:

Reach for Home's Mobile Outreach team including Jim McCammon (pictured above in downtown Cloverdale) and Jaclyn Ramirez (aka Nurse Jacquie) provides services within the City of Cloverdale on Tuesday and Friday. Services provided by Reach for Home include outreach services, welfare checks, food and water and medical care for the unsheltered. Reach for Home accepts volunteer help and takes donations. If you are interesting in learning more about Reach for Home or contributing to their vision to end homelessness, please visit their website: REACH FOR HOME.

Resilient Cloverdale Online Survey

Help Resilient Cloverdale learn more about how social ties, community, and neighbors can assist during future crises that affect Cloverdale. You are invited to participate in the Resilient Cloverdale Organization Connections Survey

Resilient Cloverdale, a cross-sector initiative committed to advancing the resilience of Cloverdale and the surrounding community, is working with a research team from San Francisco State University to assess the role that social cohesion has played in Cloverdale’s responses to recent crises, including the Public Safety Power Shutoffs in fall 2019 and the Covid-19 shelter-at-home order that began in March 2020. This project includes a confidential survey designed to help us to learn more about how social ties, community, and neighbors can assist during future crises that affect Cloverdale.

All community members are invited to participate in the survey, which will take 15-20 minutes to complete by clicking on the following link:
Resilient Cloverdale Social Cohesion Survey
The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the principal investigator, Jennifer Shea, Ph.D., at jshea@sfsu.edu or 415/817-4462. Dr. Shea is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at San Francisco State University (https://pace.sfsu.edu/people/faculty/jennifer-shea).

Code Enforcement Update

The Cloverdale Building and Planning Departments are actively working on 13 active code enforcement cases. Typical code enforcement cases include:

Accumulation of Junk and Rubbish
Inoperable vehicles
Rodent infestation
Dead or dying vegegation

The City launched a new Code Enforcement web page providing additional information and resources that can be accessed at the following link: Code Enforcement | Cloverdale, CA - Official Website

Opportunity for Community Involvement: Subcommittees

Did you know the City of Cloverdale conducts a number of subcommittees covering Public Works, Planning & Sustainability, Finance, Administration & Police? Agenda items generally include topics that require more discuss or research prior to consideration by the full Council. Subcommittees are comprised of two Councilmembers and Senior Staff. Community participation and input at the Subcommittee meetings is welcome and encouraged .

City of Cloverdale Subcommittees:

1. Finance, Administration, & Police Subcommittee
2. Joint City/Cloverdale Fire District
3. Planning and Sustainability Subcommittee
4. Public Works Subcommittee
5. Homelessness Community Advisory Group

Some Subcommittees meet monthly while other meet bi-monthly. Currently all subcommittees meet at the Cloverdale Library's conference room. For details on dates times and agendas for subcommittee meetings can be found at the following link: Agenda Center • City of Cloverdale • CivicEngage.

Parks Department Weekly Update

Seasonal maintenance related to drought conditions and ongoing projects continues at all of our Parks and Open Spaces including the Cloverdale Landscape & Lighting District (LLAD) zones.

At The Cottages LLAD Zone, dead and struggling vegetation were pruned back or removed due to drought. Park staff capped off and disconnected irrigation to avoid unnecessary water use. Remaining irrigation is limited to the established shrubs/plants.

At The Vineyards LLAD Zone, we repaired a major irrigation leak and hedged an entire block of shrubs. Pruning of trees and additional landscaping was also performed. Other significant irrigation leaks were also repaired at Vintage Meadows and Second St. City Park.

Irrigation inspections were made as well throughout the week at all parks to keep in line with recently adopted Stage 4 Water Emergency restrictions. The City's water wagon is being utilized to irrigate city parks with backwash water produced at the Cloverdale Water Treatment Plant.

Parks and Streets staff also collaborated to remove a hazardous tree that failed and landed across Cherry Creek Road. The tree was removed quickly to allow traffic to move freely. Special thanks to Cloverdale Police Department for assisting with traffic control.