Lake Oroville in May 2022. This lake is part of the State Water Project, which provides 70% of the Tri-Valley's water supply during non-drought years. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources.

On June 10th, the State of California passed new statewide water restrictions. The good news? None of these restrictions affect residential properties.  

So, what are these new restrictions then? Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties statewide can no longer irrigate “non-functional” turf – meaning grass that is purely decorative and not used for recreation or events. Properties that fall under this category include hotels, places of worship, offices, retail stores, and more. 

This summer, you may notice ornamental lawns near Livermore’s businesses and in HOA communally owned areas quickly going brown. These properties are doing their part to help our community conserve water. Brown is the new green! 

We are pleased to present our 2021 Annual Water Quality Report, which provides you with important information about the quality of your drinking water. Water quality monitoring performed by Zone 7 Water Agency and Livermore Municipal Water throughout last year confirmed that your water met or exceeded all state and federal standards. To request a mailed paper copy of the report, call us at (925) 960-8100. 

Next month, Livermore Municipal Water will begin testing water directly from select customers' taps for trace levels of copper and lead. This testing is required by the California State Water Resources Control Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard our drinking water from metals that can adversely affect public health.

This testing has been required since 1992 and results from Livermore Municipal Water's service area have always shown copper and lead levels well below state and federal requirements. As a result, Livermore Municipal Water is only required to complete these tests every three years. 

Properties that were selected for testing will be notified directly. Test results will be available by October and will be included in next year's Annual Water Quality Report. For more information, contact Livermore Municipal Water at (925) 960-8100 or wrd_info@livermoreca.gov.

Have you ever wondered where your water comes from? Your drinking water is a blend of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Del Valle Reservoir, and local groundwater. The Tri-Valley's water agencies have created this new video so you can follow water’s journey from the mountaintops to your home's taps! 

Zone 7 Water Agency has completed upgrades to its Patterson Pass Water Treatment Plant, doubling the amount of water it can treat per day and improving the quality of the drinking water it produces. This treatment plant purifies water from the South Bay Aqueduct before Livermore Municipal Water delivers it to your property. 

Treating water from the South Bay Aqueduct has become increasingly difficult because of higher organic matter levels and more frequent algae blooms, which cause taste and odor issues. By replacing chlorine with ozone as the main disinfectant at this treatment plant, your water will now be cleaner, safer, and better tasting. 

Do you know a neighbor or local business that has made a significant improvement to their property this past year? Nominate them for a 2022 Beautification Award! Nomination categories include complete remodels, property upgrades, installing low-water or California native plant landscapes, historical renovations, and new builds with noteworthy landscape design.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many California households are struggling to afford the cost of water service. That's why Livermore Municipal Water has enrolled in the statewide Low Income Water Assistance Program.

This program will provide low-income households in our service area with a one-time payment to help pay their overdue water bills. If you are struggling to afford your Livermore Municipal Water service, visit csd.ca.gov/waterbill to see if you qualify for this program.