Drought

Residents urged to continue to conserve water

Heavy rainfall has resulted in improved water conditions in California. Regardless of water conditions, Menlo Park Municipal Water recommends its customers continue efforts to conserve water and make conservation a wat of life. Follow the drought status at U.S. Drought Monitor.

Report water waste

Conservation measures adopted by City Council

Hotels and motels shall provide guests the choice to reuse or launder towels and linens daily
Restaurants and other food service operations shall serve water only upon request
Broken or defective plumbing and irrigation systems must be repaired or replaced within a reasonable period (not exceeding seven days).
Recreational water features shall be covered when not in use

Water conservation recommendations

Menlo Park Municipal Water recommends that its customers continue to conserve by considering the following measures:

Be mindful of applying water to outdoor landscapes that cause more than incidental runoff
Install an automatic shut-off nozzle for hoses used to wash vehicles, outdoor hand watering, etc.
Do not use potable water to wash impervious areas unless it addresses an immediate health and safety need
Turn your irrigation system off within 48 hours of measurable rainfall
Use recirculating water systems to fill or top off decorative fountains, lakes, or ponds instead of potable water
Water needed for street cleaning or construction site preparation should use recycled water where possible
Newly constructed homes and buildings should consider irrigating with drip or microspray only
Be mindful of using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf. "Non-functional turf" is defined as turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or or for civic or community events (does not include sports fields).

Water saving tips and incentives

Menlo Park Municipal Water collaborates with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency to offer water conservation rebates, incentives and free water-saving fixtures to residents and businesses that are Menlo Park Municipal Water customers.

All water customers are encouraged to do their part by conserving water and using these tips:

For more information on the drought and water conservation, please visit:

Please keep in mind that it is important to use water wisely everyday regardless of drought conditions. Thank you for doing your part to help conserve water in Menlo Park and making conservation a way of life. Together, we can make every drop count!

Frequently asked questions

How is the stage of the drought determined?

The stage of the drought is determined and set by the State Water Resources Control Board. The City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan outlines six drought stages and regulations/prohibitions we may implement for each stage. It includes adopting any regulations imposed by the State Water Resources Control Board (as was done in the last drought) or our water wholesaler, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. It also allows the City Council flexibility to include additional water-saving measures.

What is non-functional turf?

“Non-functional turf” is turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties (including homeowners’ associations, HOAs) that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events. Non-functional turf does not include sports fields.

Why am I still being asked to conserve water if California’s water supply has improved?

Winter storms temporarily alleviate water shortages and does not guarantee a sufficient water supply for potential future dry spouts within California. It is important that regardless of the stage of the drought, Menlo Park residents continue to use water efficiently and wisely. Some of the additional benefits to conserving water is that it saves you money on your utility bill; it uses less carbon emitting energy to get the water into your home and helps to sustain our local water supply for future uses.

What are some ways Menlo Park residents can conserve water?

Outdoor water use can make up for a large amount of a household’s overall water consumption. Regularly checking for leaks and upgrading your irrigation equipment can save a large volume of water. Menlo Park Municipal Water offers a variety of rebates and incentives to encourage its water customers to be more water efficient with outdoor water-use. Please keep in mind that although you may reside in Menlo Park, you may not necessarily be a Menlo Park Municipal Water customer.

Efficient indoor water use is equally as important. Make sure to check for leaks and replace old toilets, clothes washers and fixtures with new water-efficient models. Menlo Park also offers free water-saving fixtures to its water customers including faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads and toilet leak detection tablets. Check out the City’s water saving tips and calculate your water footprint here.

Are there incentives available for reducing water use?

For Menlo Park Municipal Water customers, a variety of rebates and incentives are available to encourage residents to be more water efficient. If you are not a Menlo Park Municipal Water customer, visit your water provider’s website to see what conservation incentives are available to you. For more information go to our conservation rebates and incentives page.

How can I report someone who is wasting water?

To report a water waster visit savewater.ca.gov

Are there plans to install smart meters so I can track and manage my water use more effectively?

Menlo Park is planning to implement the Automated Meter Infrastructure Project this year which will replace/retrofit all water meters by December 2024. Once the project is complete, Menlo Park Municipal Water customers will have access to a user-friendly customer portal that will allow water users to access real time water usage data on their computers and mobile devices.