Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Shelter in Place Order, our office is closed to the public.  Behind the scenes our operations will continue.  Our staff is committed to the continual delivery of safe and high quality water.  See answers to frequently asked questions here.

Water Conservation

Diablo Water District > Your Water > Water Conservation

We live in a Mediterranean climate that is prone to cycles of prolonged droughts.  Some people conserve water to help save a precious natural resource, while others are motivated to save money.  No mater the motivator, the District always encourages the elimination of waste and the efficient use of water.

Massage showerhead

Reduce showerhead water usage

by 20% and save on your water bill.

Water Saving Tips

Water Saving Tips

Gardening in Contra Costa County

Gardening Tips

Lose a Lawn - Get a Garden

Lawn  Repurposing Rebates

Visit our Water Efficient Demonstration Garden

Get ideas on attractive low water use landscape at our new water efficient demonstration garden located beside our office at 87 Carol Lane, Oakley.

 

Free Stuff to Help You Save Water and Money

We have free low-flow shower heads, kitchen sink aerators and bath sink aerators
to help Diablo Water District customers save water and lower their water bills.
Come by and ask for one.*
MASSAGE SHOWERHEAD.

2.0 gallons per minute White Shower Pro Massage with On/Off, Water Saving, Efficient Low Flow, Quality Shower Head.
DUAL-FLOW KITCHEN AERATOR.

Swivel action for effective cleaning, both with aerated jet and wide spray, and full flow and easy touch flow restrictor.
BATHROOM FAUCET AERATOR.

Flows at 1.5 gallons per minute, but delivers the force of gallons more. Easy to install.
DYE
TABLETS.

Drop these blue dye tablets into your toilet tank to check for toilet leaks.

* Free water conservation items are only available to Diablo Water District Customers

Easy Ways to Save Water and Money

To achieve the greatest savings, focus on outdoor water conservation. That’s because, in the winter, when water use is lower, the typical water bill ranges from $30 to $80 a month. But in the summer, when water use soars, the typical water bill ranges from $80 to $300 a month.
Most Water is Used Outdoors
  • Oakley Soil is Sandy so Water shorter, More Frequently. Oakley soil is mostly sand. Landscaping in sandy soil usually responds best to shorter, more frequent watering, such as 5 minutes once or twice a day.
  • Adjust Sprinkler Timers. Many landscapes are over-watered. Each season, reset your sprinkler timers to use less water and avoid large water bills, once any new landscaping is established.
  • Try Landscaping with Drought Tolerant Plants for Healthier, Easier-to-Maintain Landscapes. They use less water than grass, are often easier to maintain, and save water.
Easy Indoor Water-Saving Tips
  • Fix Leaky Toilets. A toilet that runs can waste many gallons of water per minute. Check for leaks by placing a few drops of dark food coloring in the tank. If colored water appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Adjusting the float or replacing the flapper takes only a few minutes and can save a lot of water and money
  • Stop Leaks of All Types. A small faucet leak can waste as much at 170 gallons of water in 24 hours, and much more if the leaks are larger. Generally, the problem can be easily solved by replacing the faucet washers. The back of your water bill has other tips for detecting leaks.
  • Follow Common Sense Water Use Practices. Use full loads in dishwashers and clothes washing machines. Take showers instead of baths. Don’t let water run when you are not using it.

Click on the picture
for extensive gardening tips!

Discover our new extremely complete web-resource that will help you pick plants and plan drought tolerant gardens. It's tailored to Contra Costa County conditions. You can make your own plant lists & more.

Big Rebates and More to Help You Save

Diablo Water District's customers are eligible to receive water conservation rebates and FREE Home Water Use Surveys from Contra Costs Water District, which supplies the District with imported water.
Water-Saving Rebates

Lose a Lawn, Get a Garden With Up to $1,000 Rebate

Up to $1,000 rebates are available to help you transform your water guzzling turf into a beautiful low-water use landscape.

  • Pre-approval is required.
  • Non-residential sites call for details.
More Water Conservation Tips

The Bay Area, like only 2 percent of the world, has a Mediterranean climate. This means that we have cool, wet winters and summer droughts.

Thus, it is important to have landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, and employs other water-saving methods.

CCWD has a water efficient Demonstration Garden that you can visit to see how plants grow using 50 percent less water than a comparable lawn.
Free, Home Water Use Survey –

This is a free service offered by Contra Costa Water District to Diablo Water District Customers

Home Water Use Survey

During the home water survey, a member of CCWD's water conservation team will:

  • Provide useful conservation tips to help you manage your water use.
  • Inspect irrigation stations, and provide a checklist of suggested improvements.
  • Provide irrigation scheduling information to assist you with programming your timer.
  • Check for signs of leaks
  • Demonstrate how to read your water meter and use it to monitor your use.
  • Provide high-efficiency showerheads and kitchen faucet aerators, if needed.
Facts About Winter and Summer Water Bills

In the winter, when water use is lower, the typical water bill ranges from $30 to $80 a month. But in the summer, when water use soars, the typical water bill ranges from $80 to $300 a month. As much as 75% of your summer bill can be for outside watering. So to achieve the greatest water savings, focus on outdoor water conservation.