Water Restrictions: Castro Valley vs Livermore
How do water restrictions rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and Livermore, CA?
Castro Valley and Livermore have similar restriction levels.
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 →Livermore, CA
Alameda County
Livermore follows California Water Service and Zone 7 drought stages, plus permanent SWRCB rules — no runoff, no hosing hardscape, watering before 9 AM / after 6 PM.
View full Livermore rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | Livermore |
|---|---|---|
| West County utility | EBMUD | - |
| South County utility | ACWD | - |
| AB 1572 | Non-functional turf ban 2027 | - |
| MWELO | New landscape 500+ sqft | - |
| Typical watering | 2-3 days per week | - |
| Water Provider | - | Cal Water / Zone 7 |
| State Rules | - | SWRCB permanent |
| Watering Hours | - | Before 9 AM / after 6 PM |
| Runoff | - | Prohibited |
| Rain Lockout | - | 48 hours |
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.
Livermore FAQ
Can I wash my car at home in Livermore?
Yes, but only with a shutoff nozzle hose and no runoff. Commercial car washes using recycled water are preferred during drought stages.
Are Livermore drought rules stricter than the state?
During declared shortages, Cal Water layers day/time limits on top of permanent state rules. Always check your current bill insert or Cal Water Livermore's website.
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