Drought Conditions in Sacramento
CURRENT CONDITIONS (FALL 2022)
Due to continued severe drought conditions through the region and state, a water alert is currently in effect for the City of Sacramento.
A water alert is the second of six stages in the City’s plan to reduce overall water usage during a water shortage.
How to save water
Residents and businesses can reduce their water use in several ways:
Residents and business in the city of Sacramento are required to follow a year-round schedule when watering landscapes using sprinklers.
- From Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, watering is allowed one day per week, on Saturday or Sunday, at any time of day.
- No weekday watering is permitted.
This video guide can help teach you how to log in to your Utilities account and track how much water you're using.
City customers can save water and money by taking advantage of rebates for:
- Converting grass to drought-tolerant landscapes
- Irrigation upgrades
- Smart controllers
- Toilet upgrades
- Faucets and fixtures
Most homeowners use the majority of water on their landscapes. Use shorter watering cycles to prevent runoff and reduce water use.
Leaky sprinkler heads and water lines can waste large amounts of water. Check your systems while they run to troubleshoot problems.
City water conservation specialists can help you find ways to save water and money at your home and/or property with a free digital "house call."
Sprinklers don’t water trees deeply enough. Water trees separately using a soaker hose or drip tubing and soak 12 to 18 inches below the soil surface. Add mulch to prevent evaporation and protect roots. Use a moisture meter to check the soil before watering.
What the City is doing
The City is doing several things to reduce its water use, including reducing irrigation for parks and streetscapes and ceasing non-essential water use for City programs.
If dry conditions worsen, additional stages of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan describe increasing levels of water-use reduction that can be activated as directed by City Council.
The City last declared drought conditions from 2014 to 2017.
Contact us
Not sure where to start? The City offers appointments with water conservation experts who can help customers with water conservation rebates, fixing leaks and other ways to save water.
Call 3-1-1 or email waterconservation@cityofsacramento.org to schedule an appointment.