A2: Water Conservation Rebates and Programs*

Status

Active; Adjusted

Location

Countywide

Schedule

Start FY 2022 / Finish FY 2036

Funding

Safe, Clean Water Fund ($7.9 million)

This project will help meet and exceed long-term water conservation and reliability goals will increase water-use efficiency in the landscape, residential, schools and commercial sectors through water conservation rebates, technical assistance and public education.

Water Conservation rebate programs may include a residential leak detection and assistance program, an expanded landscape rebate program that promotes California-native plant species as well as water-saving plants, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and a restaurant-efficiency and school-efficiency upgrade program.

Water conservation helps manage risks to water supply reliability from climate change and reduces greenhouse gases. Without water conservation, Valley Water would need to import more water or develop additional infrastructure to yield a commensurate water supply every year. Water conservation reduces reliance on imported water supply by creating a more diverse portfolio of supply that is more resilient to risks and uncertainties.

For example, in fiscal year (FY) 2023, approximately 83,174 acre-feet of water were saved through Valley Water’s long-term conservation programs and plumbing code regulations. Water conservation programs ensure water supply resiliency as the risk of drought increases due to climate change.

Supplying water requires a lot of energy to extract, convey, treat, and distribute, which may account for up to 10% of California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Hence, reducing water demand through conservation reduces GHG emissions. Valley Water’s 2011 “From Watts to Water” report explains in more detail the crucial role water conservation plays in reducing GHG emissions.

Water conservation also helps adapt to climate change by conserving limited water supply and lessening demand to meet an uncertain water supply future.

*This project was voter approved as part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

New and Enhanced Programs

The SCW Project A2 implementation entails providing approximately $700,000 a year to increase the Landscape Rebate Program's Landscape Conversion Rebates from $1 per square foot to $2 for all qualifying properties, as well as raising the maximum rebate from $2,000 to $3,000 for single-family homes and from $50,000 to $100,000 for multi-family homes, and commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. The remaining funding will be used for technical assistance and educational programs. In 2021, Valley Water launched several new and improved programs, including an increased rebate for the Landscape Rebate Program, educational webinar series, permaculture workshop pilot, and an enhanced partnership with Our City Forest for their Lawn Busters Program. In FY26, SCW funding continued to support the programs and projects described below.

Landscape Rebate Program

In FY26 Q1 (July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025), Valley Water issued 172 rebates through the Landscape Rebate Program, totaling over $431,000 to convert nearly 176,000 square feet (sq ft) of lawn into low water-use landscapes, irrigation equipment upgrades, and rainwater capture system installations. Of the over $431,00 in rebates issued and for over 100 of these rebates, the Safe, Clean Water Program funded nearly $164,000 to successfully convert 164,000 sq ft of lawn to low-water-use plants. Hence, the Safe, Clean Water Program supported approximately 38% of Landscape Rebate Program rebate funding in FY26.

For more information, please visit www.valleywater.org/saving-water/rebates-surveys/landscape-rebates.

Demonstration Garden

A contract was awarded at the end of FY25 for the design a Demonstration Garden located at the southeast corner of Valley Water's Headquarters building located on Almaden Expressway. The design process continues into FY26 and is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2026. The Valley Water Garden will highlight a watershed approach to landscaping and serve as a beautiful, functional demonstration garden and community gathering space. Specifically, the Garden would showcase Valley Water’s Landscape Rebate Program, serving as a tangible example for the public to see, to engage with, and to learn from. The Garden will convert approximately 26,000 square feet of existing landscape areas into a low water-use, Bay-friendly landscape and will include the creation of several Low Impact Development (LID) features. These LID features will include vegetated swales/rain gardens within the landscape. High-efficiency irrigation technology and a rainwater harvesting demonstration system are planned. This project will also include the creation of a public gathering area, permeable hardscape, and educational signage. The Garden, easily accessible by the public, will reflect garden design elements that can be applied to both residential and commercial sites.

For a full list of Valley Water Conservation Programs, visit www.watersavings.org.

October 2025

For more information:

Ashley Shannon (408) 630-2951

Lincoln Village HOA in San José received a rebate from Valley Water in FY25 for converting over 30,000 square feet of lawn to climate-appropriate, low-water use landscape.

New and Enhanced Programs

Landscape Rebate Program

For more information, please visit www.valleywater.org/saving-water/rebates-surveys/landscape-rebates.

Demonstration Garden

For a full list of Valley Water Conservation Programs, visit www.watersavings.org.

October 2025

For more information:

Ashley Shannon (408) 630-2951

Water Conservation Savings Model
- Evaluates a wide variety of water saving programs
- Presented to the Safe, Clean Water Independent Monitoring Committee on December 8, 2021

Safe, Clean Water Program Documents

FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for Safe, Clean Water Program

Award up to $1 million per year toward specified water conservation program activities, including rebates, technical assistance, and public education, within the first seven (7) years of the Program.

Benefits

Helps county residents exceed the countywide goal of conserving 110,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2040
Increases water supply reliability by creating a more diverse portfolio of supply that is more resilient to risks and uncertainties
Reduces greenhouse gases by reducing water usage, thereby decreasing the energy required for water conveyance, treatment, and distribution
Supports climate change adaptation by conserving limited water supply and lessening demand to meet an uncertain water supply future
Reduces pollution to the Bay by reducing irrigation runoff

Geographic Area Benefit

Countywide

About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program

In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.

While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:

Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply

Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways

Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters

Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space

Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways

Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community

Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.

To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.

In addition, the program requires three independent audits.

View the Safe, Clean Water Program’s annual reports, annual IMC audit reports, and independent audits, including a staff response, on the Valley Water website.