Sierra Madre’s groundwater historically came the Santa Anita sub-area of the Raymond Basin, along with tunnels transporting surface water. In 2013, drought conditions limited the Sierra Madre’s ability to draw groundwater, and the City was forced to switch to imported water to serve its residents. Currently, the City’s water supply consists of a mix of both imported and local groundwater.
The current and projected state of the Sierra Madre water supply in the adopted 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Table 6-8 of the UWMP shows an actual produced volume in 2020 of 2392 acre-ft. Table 6-9 projects 5 continuous dry years with reasonable available volume. These numbers are based on the City’s demand, imported water supplies, and future production from the Main San Gabriel Basin. It is anticipated that the City will have sufficient water supplies available to meet projected demands. You can read more information at
www.sierramadreca.gov/services/water.
On average, more than 50% of water use occurs outdoors, which provides a number of opportunities for saving water. Water-efficient and drought-tolerant landscaping is a great way to reduce water use. Water-efficient landscaping can also include rock gardens, benches, synthetic turf and other elements that use no water at all.
The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District offers various rebates to reduce water use for both indoor and outdoor features. Visit
https://sgvmwd.com/water-conservation/#rebates
Be sure to check out website and social media for various water conservation tips and events throughout the year!
The City’s AMI system provides enhanced capabilities to help residents manage their water usage through the Sensus Analytics customer portal. Customers are able to set water usage alerts and monitor water use. If a leak is detected on a resident’s property, it is highly recommended that the property owner make repairs in a timely manner. If needed, water customers can request City staff to temporarily shut off water service while repairs are made. You can sign up for AMI at
www.sierramadreca.gov/services/water/ami.
The following uses of water are restricted year-round, whether or not we are in a water-conservation phase:
A. There shall be no washing of sidewalks, walkways, patios, driveways, or parking areas by a water hose;
B. No water shall be used to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains unless such water is part of a recycling system;
C. No restaurant, cafe, deli, or other public place where food is sold, served or offered for sale, shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested by the customer;
D. All customers of the water department shall repair leaks in a timely manner.
E. No lawn, landscaping, or other turf area shall be watered or irrigated between the hours of six a.m. and six p.m. When a conservation phase has not been declared, the city will maintain two outdoor irrigation schedules.
During Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) following the first Sunday of March through the first Sunday in November no lawn, landscaping, or other turf area shall be watered or irrigated between the hours of six a.m. and six p.m.
During Pacific Standard Time (PST) following the first Sunday of November through the first Sunday in March no lawn, landscaping, or other turf area shall be watered or irrigated between the hours of eight a.m. and four p.m.
F. No lawn, landscape, or turf area shall be watered in a wasteful manner. Nor shall any water be wasted if the existing conditions may be corrected or reasonably modified;
G. The use of a hose to wash an automobile, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use;
H. Watering lawns in a manner that causes runoff, or within forty-eight hours after measurable precipitation; and
I. Irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians.
The State of California provides each city a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), with a required number of housing units the city must create to support our growing population. Our Urban Water Management Plan helps us prepare for future water use, including use for new housing units. Additionally, all new development is subject to the latest water efficiency building standards, including indoor, outdoor use, and rainwater catchment systems.
Water waste can be reported to
water@sierramadreca.gov.The City is actively investing funds for the repair and replacement of aging water infrastructure. We have replaced over 20,000 linear feet of aging pipe since 2017. The City has upgraded all meters to an AMI system, which remotely reads water meters and allows customers to view the water usage online. Using the portal, customers can manage water usage, set budget goals and receive leak alerts. The City also uses this system to provide high consumption notices and 72-hr continuous water use door hangers, with information to sign up for the AMI customer portal. City staff also work hard to provide information about conservation methods, educational tools and rebate information out in the field and through print and online media.