Water Restrictions: Castro Valley vs Fremont
How do water restrictions rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and Fremont, CA?
Fremont has fewer restrictions than Castro Valley.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Alameda County Water District (ACWD) enforce permanent water waste rules plus drought-stage restrictions. AB 1572 bans potable water on non-functional turf starting 2027.
View full Castro Valley rules →Fremont, CA
Alameda County
Alameda County Water District serves Fremont and prohibits daytime outdoor watering, runoff, and watering within 48 hours of rain. AB 1572 phases out non-functional turf.
View full Fremont rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| West County utility | EBMUD | - |
| South County utility | ACWD | - |
| AB 1572 | Non-functional turf ban 2027 | No potable on non-functional turf |
| MWELO | New landscape 500+ sqft | - |
| Typical watering | 2-3 days per week | - |
| Water Utility | - | Alameda County Water District |
| No Watering | - | 10 am to 6 pm |
| Post-Rain | - | 48 hour wait |
| Fines | - | 50 to 500 dollars |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
Can I water every day?
No, both EBMUD and ACWD restrict outdoor irrigation to 2 or 3 specific days per week; check your utility for current assigned days.
What is non-functional turf?
Turf that is purely ornamental (street medians, grass in parking lots, commercial front lawns not used for recreation); AB 1572 bans irrigating it with potable water by 2027.
Fremont FAQ
Can I still wash my car at home?
Yes, ACWD permits home car washing with a shutoff nozzle on the hose. During Stage 2 drought declarations, residents must use a commercial car wash that recycles water or a bucket and nozzle only.
What is non-functional turf?
Grass that is purely decorative (medians, HOA front strips, office lawn) and not regularly used for recreation. Sports fields, school play yards, cemeteries, and residential backyards where people actively gather are functional and remain exempt.
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