After a record-breaking wet winter, Livermore City Council voted to end the citywide drought emergency declaration on May 8th. This declaration has been in effect since September 2021.

Livermore Municipal Water thanks you for taking action to save water during California's severe drought. Together we used 609 MILLION GALLONS less water citywide in 2022 compared to 2020. That's enough water to fill over 900 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

What Does the End of the Drought Mean for Me?

Livermore properties are no longer limited to irrigating on set days of the week based on their address number. Additionally, our customers are no longer limited to irrigating with a sprinkler system in the early morning or at night. 

However, Livermore Municipal Water encourages you to make water conservation a way of life. California has experienced two multi-year droughts in the last ten years. Since we cannot predict when the next drought will arrive, it is important to continue saving water for the future.

*1 unit of water = 748 gallons or 100 cubic feet

Beginning on June 1st, Livermore Municipal Water customers will no longer be charged conservation rates for their drinking water service. 

These rates went into effect in October 2021 to encourage water conservation during the drought. Under this rate structure, customers paid a few cents more for each unit of drinking water used. These rates were reflected under the “City Distribution Cost” line item on your Livermore Municipal Water bill. 

Since the City of Livermore is no longer in a drought emergency, customers will now be charged the standard rate for City Distribution Costs. You will begin to see this lower rate on your June water bill.

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 Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).  

This program provides low-income households with a payment every 12 months of up to $15,000 to go towards their current or past-due water bills. Here’s how to apply: 

Step 1: Confirm your household income meets the requirements below. 

Step 2: Complete an application and submit it to Spectrum Community Services, Inc. You can download the application from the Spectrum website or pick up a printed copy from the Livermore Civic Center Library. 

Beginning on July 1st, Livermore Municipal Water bills paid with a credit or debit card will be charged a convenience fee. This fee may be shown as a separate charge on credit card statements. 

Customers who pay their water bills by e-checks, online banking, mailed checks, and money orders will not be charged a convenience fee.  

To change your bill payment method, log into your Livermore Municipal Water account and select “Payment Profiles”. 

Last year, Livermore Municipal Water launched a new pilot project designed to pinpoint leaking underground water pipes more quickly and at a lower cost.

The first step of this project was using ASTERRA synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging to locate potential water leaks. Water-soaked soil has a specific "signature" in SAR data, allowing ASTERRA to pinpoint spots across our 23-square-mile service area that may have leaks that are not visible from the surface.

Through this method, ASTERRA found 65 "points of interest" that could be leaks in our system. Beginning in late May, specialists will visit each of these locations with leak detection devices to listen to all nearby pipes, hydrants, and valves. If a technician hears a leak, they will then use a leak noise correlator and acoustic ground microphones to pinpoint the leak's exact location to allow Livermore Municipal Water staff to make necessary repairs.

Livermore Municipal Water does not anticipate your water service being affected by this project. For more information, contact Livermore Municipal Water at (925) 960-8100.

Your drinking water is a blend of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Del Valle Reservoir, and local groundwater. This blend changes throughout the year.  

Typically, Livermore Municipal Water receives more groundwater during the summer months than at other times of the year. This can increase your drinking water’s hardness, and can also change its taste. 

Additionally, algae blooms in the Delta can cause an earthy taste or smell in drinking water. Algae blooms can occur at any time but are more common in late spring through early fall.  

Rest assured - none of these changes in taste, odor, or hardness affect the safety of your drinking water.

Each year, Livermore Municipal Water proudly sponsors the Livermore Water Conservation Art Contest for K-12th-grade students.

Last month, we presented the grand prize of the 2023 competition to Annapoorani Amarnath, an 8th grader at Mendenhall Middle School. Annapoorani created this beautiful illustration called "California's Pride: Golden Poppies" for this year's California native plants-focused contest theme.

Artwork from all ten of our contest finalists will be on display at the Livermore Chamber of Commerce (2157 First Street) throughout the month of May in celebration of "Water Awareness Month". Be sure to check it out!