Slow the flow, every drop counts.

Over the past five years the City of Upland, along with the rest of California, has grappled with significant water challenges from aging infrastructure, water quality, and ultimately water scarcity, mostly driven by persistent drought conditions. While many parts of the state have benefited from 2016 winter storms rain and snow, other areas continue to experience the effects of drought.

The City of Upland remains in a Level High Water Shortage Stage, which in simple terms means the call for water savings must continue. Understanding our local water supply provides clarity to the question of why are we still in a High-Level Water Shortage Stage when other areas of the state are not. Upland gets its water from three primary sources: groundwater, local surface water from San Antonio Creek, and imported water. All our groundwater and surface water depend on rainfall for replenishment. Our groundwater basins are still at low levels and will need several El Nino events to return our groundwater to pre-drought levels.

In May 2016, Governor Brown signed an Executive Order, which set in motion new programs to “Make Water Conservation A Way of Life” in California. The executive order will keep in place monthly reporting of water use by urban water agencies, and prohibitions against wasteful practices. The City will continue to have in place the following High-Level Water Storage Stage restrictions:

Assigned Irrigation Days (no outdoor irrigation between 6:00 a.m. to one hour before sundown) with automated sprinklers:

- Odd number addresses water on Tuesdays & Saturdays

- Even number addresses water on Wednesdays & Sundays

• Do not wash down hardscape (concrete) unless required for public safety.
• Excessive or unreasonable runoff or overspray is prohibited.
• Leaks must be repaired within 72 hours.
• Refill or adding water to an existing swimming pool is prohibited unless on designated outdoor water use day.
• Use recirculated water in fountains features
• Use a hose with a positive shut-off nozzle when washing vehicles on designated outdoor water days between sundown and 12:00 p.m. 
• Restaurants may only serve water upon request.

These measures not only prevent water waste but most importantly, protect our water resources as we continue to move in and out of droughts in the future.

The City is committed to encouraging efficient water use. By programs, incentives, and provides informational assistance to customers to help you implement water-conserving measures at your home or place of business. In addition, visitors to our City Hall can visit our new Drought Tolerant Landscape Demonstration Garden and obtain free educational materials to help them in their conservation efforts. For more ways to save water, please call (909) 291-2935.

For information regarding the "high" conservation stage, click here.  For a detailed list of compliance guidelines and penalties, click here.

Please take advantage of Upland’s Water saving rebates & programs:
To apply visit: www.SoCalWaterSmart.com

• High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate
• High-Efficiency Clothes Washers Rebate
• Rain Barrels & Cisterns Rebates
• Soil Moisture Sensor
• Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers Rebate
• High-Efficiency Rotating Sprinkler Nozzles Rebate
• Flow Monitor Device Rebate
• Free Outdoor Landscape Irrigation Audit Program by CBWCD
• Small Site (500-10,000 sq. ft.) Irrigation Controller Upgrade Program.
• Residential Landscape  (10,890 sq. ft. or more) Retrofit Program.
• Pressure Regulator Valve Program (for high indoor water pressure only)                To see if you qualify to apply please call (909) 291-2935.         

• Turf Removal Program now called Landscape Replacement Program

The Turf Removal Program by Metropolitan Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and the City of Upland will offer a rebate of $3.00 per square foot of turf removed accessed via www.BeWaterWise.com. Must meet the eligibility requirements.

The program rewards landscape designs that incorporate water-saving plants, technology, irrigation systems, and hardware. The result may be a beautiful bee-butterfly-and-bird-attracting landscape that is sustainable and can save a significant amount of water.

For questions and detailed information, please call  (909) 291-2930.  To apply for your rebate, please visit www.SoCalWaterSmart.com.  

For additional information about conservation rebates or for program availability, please go to www.SoCalWaterSmart.com, or contact the Public Works - Water Department at (909) 291-2930. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Electric Lawn Mower Rebate Program

For information about the Electric Lawn Mower rebate program, please see the PDF below.

The City of Upland is looking to increasingly reduce water waste. To report  a case of water waste, please call the Water Waste Hotline at (909) 291-2999. Leave a detailed voicemail, with a description of the water waste as well as the exact location, date, and time.

 To search for a landscape professional in your area, please consider using the following resources: 

• For information from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) California, click here. 
• For information from the Green Gardens Group, click here.
• For information from the Chino Water Basin Conservation District, click here.