New Water Rules Put Lawns And Backflow Risks In Focus In Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY, CA — City Council in Redwood City approved staff's recommendation on water-system regulation updates early October, covering cross-connection safety and the use of drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf.

The changes were intended to align the city's municipal code with state requirements and protect the public water supply.

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Assistant Public Works Director Justin Chapel said the updated cross-connection program called for hazard assessments at properties with city water service.

Certified specialists would conduct the assessments to identify potential contamination risks.

Properties that required backflow prevention devices would also have to maintain and test them annually.

Chapel said the city had nine certified staff members and maintained a list of qualified testers.

The Council also discussed Assembly Bill 1572, which phased in a prohibition on using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf.

The requirements began with state and local government properties in 2027, followed by commercial and industrial properties in 2028 and common areas of residential homeowners associations in 2029.

Single-family homes and private yards were excluded. Exemptions included use of recycled water and potable water needed to maintain trees or address immediate health and safety concerns.

"I wish there were more people here and listening about potable water, because, boy, that's a big concern to me and many of us in Redwood City," said Councilmember Diane Howard said.

Councilmember Jeff Gee urged outreach to homeowners associations, saying, "I think if we can work together on getting the word out to all the HOAs, there is quite a few."

Chapel said the city planned to notify customers and offer help assessing turf, connecting eligible sites to recycled water and applying for the Lawn-Be-Gone rebate, which provided $2 per square foot for replacing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping.