Much of California depends on water from the northern part of the state. About 25–27 million Californians are served in part by the State Water Project, of which Lake Oroville is a major reservoir and hydroelectric facility located in Butte County. Although we have this resource right in our backyard, our local communities are reliant upon groundwater from the Tuscan Aquifer, with local districts implementing their own standards:
- CalWater in Chico: (530) 893-6300
- CalWater in Oroville: (530) 533-4034
- South Feather Water and Power in Oroville: (530) 533-4578
- Paradise Irrigation District: (530) 877-4971
If you are a CalWater customer, you may qualify for rebates, free sprinkler nozzles, and free conservation kits. For more information and to sign up visit CalWater’s website.
What are other regions doing?
- New study from the Pacific Institute demonstrates inequality in water use and conservation across socioeconomic groups in California.
- Residents supplied by Soquel Creek Water District are subject to strict water-use limits and tiered pricing due to groundwater sustainability concerns.
- In Santa Cruz, excessive water users may be required to attend conservation education programs or face increased water rates.
What about Greywater and Rainwater Catchment?
Using greywater is legal in California. State plumbing code updates beginning in 2009 simplified permitting requirements for certain residential greywater systems, such as laundry-to-landscape setups, while other systems may still require permits. Greywater is water from bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines, and can be reused for landscaping in appropriately designed systems. Check out the San Francisco Greywater Installation Manual to help you design and install your own system.
Rainwater catchment means collecting and storing rainwater for later use. Despite common misconception, rainwater harvesting is legal in California. The Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 allows Californians to capture runoff from rooftops and does not require a water rights permit. For the bill in full, click here. BEC led rainwater catchment workshops in 2018. To build your own system, see our workshop instructions.
If you’d like to hire someone local to install your greywater and/or rainwater catchment systems, reach out to Gaia Creations Ecological Landscaping and Permaculture Solutions, a certified permaculture designer.
