Water Conservation

Effective March 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023

Watering Limited to Two Days a Week


Due to the serious water shortage limits facing California,
the City of Morgan Hill is in a Level 4 Water Supply Shortage.

Typical lawn and garden bed sprinkler irrigation: 

  • Mondays and Thursdays for ODD numbered addresses and properties with no address
  • Tuesdays and Fridays for EVEN numbered addresses
  • NO watering on Wednesdays
  • Irrigation shall only be scheduled before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Prevent runoff in any watering cycle
  • Each valve or zone shall run for a maximum of 15 minutes in any one day
  • No watering of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties
  • Excessive use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and in no event more than ten (10) days of receiving written notice from the city, is prohibited.

For businesses, limits exist on automatically serving water at restaurants, hotels offering guests the option to decline daily linen service, and construction sites using non-potable water for most site activities.

The City of Morgan Hill has a long history in ensuring that water is used efficiently.  You can read the complete Water Waste Ordinance No. 2333 (PDF) or see a list of Frequently Asked Questions. To report any water waste that you may observe, use this form.

Population Growth During a Drought

While thinking about growth during a water shortage is common, the connection between growth and water use is weaker than one might expect. Incredibly, our entire County uses about the same amount of water now as it did 30 years ago. 

If you have any additional questions, send us an email or call 408-310-4169.

Valley Water’s Water Wise Survey Program


This two-part program will help you save water indoors and out. Sign up for one or both!

  • Water Wise Outdoor Survey: Offered to single-family and small multi-family sites (under 1/2 acre). A trained irrigation professional will evaluate the irrigation system, flagging issues onsite, adjusting the irrigation controller, and creating a custom report detailing the survey findings.
  • Do-It-Yourself Water Wise Indoor Survey: Customers may request a Do-it-Yourself kit to evaluate indoor water use, including a flow rate bag for testing shower and sink flow rates and dye tablets to test toilets for leaks. Included in the kit will be a step-by-step guide to evaluating your own water use, including:
    • Meter leak test
    • Toilet leak test
    • Sink/Shower flow rates
    • General indoor leak information
    • Booklet that includes space to record your results and a form to fill out to request free conservation items, such as a toilet flapper or low flow showerhead/sink aerator. 

To schedule a survey or request a DIY Kit, please call 408-630-2554 or visit the
Valley Water website.

Water Conserving Landscape Ideas

Are you looking to upgrade your landscape to one that uses less water? The City has created several attractive and water-conserving public gardens that you may visit for ideas for your own garden.

Valley Water’s Landscape Rebate Program

To help with your landscape conversion, Valley Water’s Landscape Rebate Program is available to all Santa Clara County homeowners, apartments, and commercial sites that make qualifying water-efficient upgrades to their landscape. 

This program is designed to encourage residents and businesses to convert approved high water use landscape, such as lawns and pools, to low water use landscape and retrofit existing irrigation equipment with approved high-efficiency irrigation equipment. Sites wishing to participate in the rebate program must complete a pre-inspection and submit an online application for approval before beginning any work on their project. Visit Valley Water’s website for complete details.

Valley Water’s Toilet Repair and Replacement Program

To help conserve water during this extreme drought, Valley Water is implementing two new programs to offer additional support, at no cost, to income-qualified customers. The Leak Assessment & Repair Program and the Toilet Assessment & Retrofit Program are now available to qualified Santa Clara County residents.

  • Are you a part of the PG&E Energy Savings Assistance Program? That means you are also eligible to receive a free high efficient toilet to replace your toilet(s) 1.6 gallons per flush or greater.
  • A maximum of 3 toilets may be replaced per household.
  • Full toilet replacement is required to meet the provisions of the Water Conservation Inspection Ordinance. No retrofit kit upgrades or flapper replacements will be accepted. 
  • Replacements are available until funds are depleted. 
  • To apply and for more details contact Valley Water.

Free Resources

Conserving water is always an important aspect of environmental protection and one that can pay off immediately to you in the form of reducing your water bill. 

Morgan Hill residents interested in conserving water can receive the following items from Valley Water at no charge: 

Visit cloud.valleywater.org/shopping-cart to see all available items and to order your free gear or literature, at your convenience.

Additional Information