Extreme Drought and Water Shortage Emergency Declared in Santa Clara County
With little rain throughout recent years, the State of California and County of Santa Clara is in its second consecutive year of a drought. The May 2021 U.S. Drought Monitor reports that most of the County is now in a situation of "Extreme" drought. This year is the third driest year on record and the driest since 1977. In addition, 2020 and 2021 were the second driest back-to-back years on record.
Water service providers in the County are considering ways to reduce water use and encourage water conservation. On June 9 Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) held a special meeting where a resolution was passed unanimously, declaring a water shortage emergency condition within the County. This resolution also called for water retailers to achieve a water use reduction target equal to 15% of the water use in 2019. With this recommended action in place, water retailers providing service in Cupertino, San Jose Water and Cal Water Services, will be drafting California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) filings on how they propose to meet this reduction. The water retailers will also be conducting public outreach to the community to educate residents about water conservation.
The City and residents in our community will need to take action and look for opportunities to reduce water consumption. During the 2015 drought, the City implemented water conservation restriction measures for City facilities and made amendments to the Municipal Code Chapter 15.32.
Based on the restrictions imposed by Valley Water, the City is currently at Stage 4 of the City's water conservation measures, which means:
- Reduce water programming for all outside irrigation for trees and shrubs, having them be at a minimum according to the conservation amount.
- Large and/or desirable species have priority over less desirable species of animals for water supply.
- No watering of turf used passively.
- Limited watering (consistent with two days a week watering or similar) of turf areas used intermittingly at City permitted events.
- A minimum of 20% reduced watering of turf areas by City or school recreation events.
- Each facility will be managed in accordance with the areas defined in Attachment A of the Water Conservation Restriction Measures.
- No filling of ponds at Memorial Park.
- No operation of the interactive fountain at Community Hall.
- No water used to clean asphalt areas, sidewalks, or plaza areas.
- Water used for street sweeping to be minimized while complying with Santa Clara Valley Air Board requirements.
Cupertino residents either receive water service from San Jose Water Company (SJ Water) or Cal Water Service Company (Cal Water). Currently, Cal Water has implemented Stage 1 of their water shortage contingency plan whereas SJ Water activated Stage 3 of their water shortage contingency plan. Both water retailers have drought, water conservation measures and rebate programs on their websites.
On July 20, City staff will be presenting information to the Cupertino City Council to discuss the drought, the City’s previous water conservation measures, and the water retailers' water shortage restriction. It is essential that proactive measures and actions be taken to conserve water to meet future water demands for consumption and fire protection.
More information on water conservation and links to the City's water service providers can be found here.
Cupertino Housing Survey Has Been Extended
The deadline has been extended for you to provide your input regarding future housing development in Cupertino.
As Cupertino looks toward the future, increasing the quantity, range, and diversity of housing options will be integral to the community's success.
The survey is available until Wednesday, July 16. Make sure your voice is heard by taking the survey at opentownhall.com/10752.
Linda Vista Extension of Stevens Creek Trail
Now Open to the Public
The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce the opening of the Linda Vista extension of the Stevens Creek Trail, located between McClellan Road and Linda Vista Park.
“The Cupertino City Council is dedicated to providing our community with a wide array of geographically diverse outdoor recreational options,” said Mayor Darcy Paul. “I'm very proud of our community members and the City for working together to bring the public this trail, which enhances the quality of life in Cupertino by offering the public another way to stay active and be out in nature.”
The City Council approved a $595,500 budget for the trail in 2019.
The pedestrian-only trail is approximately a third of a mile long and made of a mix of gravel, dirt, and asphalt. It is placed on a former access road located along the eastern edge of Deep Cliff Golf course.
“This new segment of the Stevens Creek Trail is an exciting milestone in the expansion of the trail’s reach in Cupertino,” said Scott Trappe, President of the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail. “It also takes us one step closer to connecting the trail to Stevens Creek County Park and all its recreational opportunities. The Friends are grateful for the generous donation of land by the Lowenthal family and the support for trail development from the City of Cupertino.”
The trail is open daily from dawn to dusk.
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