The Soquel Creek Water District is committed to balancing water supplies and demand. Currently our demand is above the supply ie. the sustainable yield of the aquifers. To avoid overdraft and possibly salt water intrusion along the coast we must curb water demand today. The "Water Demand Offset" (WDO) ordinance was created to avoid a moratorium on development in the Soquel Creek Water District to extend our existing supplies until a supplemental water supply can be obtained. 

water demand offset program overview
Our policy (Resolution No. 03-31) requires applicants for new water service to offset 1.2 times the amount of water the new development is projected to use so that there is a "zero impact" on the District’s water supply. This policy was adapted in order to allow continued development without exacerbating limited groundwater supplies until a new water supply can be developed.

how to offset projected water demand
To meet the Water Demand Offset requirement, applicants for new service can accomplish the offset requirements by paying for:

Note: As of May 30th 2007, High-efficiency toilets  (less than 1.28 gallons per flush) which includes dual-flush toilets are mandatory for all new development and retrofits. 1.6 gallon per flush toilets will not be accepted for new installations or retrofits. Click here for the Approved Fixture (toilet) Selection List. Or click here for the toilet list with photos. Toilets used for retrofitting must use the District’s approved toilet selection list.

Turf Retrofits - Developer may purchase from the District offset credits for customers that have retrofitted their lawns with synthetic turf or water-wise landscaping. This option is subject to the credits being available for purchase.

"Go Green" and receive a lowered Water Demand Offset credit - Install high water efficiency fixtures that exceed the current building requirements and receive a lowered WDO offset credit. For more info on how to save money through this program click here for a  residential development. Or click here for a commercial development. (pdf format)

finding and retrofitting existing property
When available, the District will provide a list of property owners desiring retrofits, which the applicant may use to accomplish offset requirements, or the applicant may find their own retrofit candidates. If the applicant supplies their own list of retrofit candidates, District staff will contact and schedule a Water Use Efficiency Survey to determine the offset credit from each site. Applicants cannot pay fees to the District in lieu of doing actual toilet retrofits.

procedures
To assure applicants receive the proper credit, they must first contact the District and arrange for the necessary District inspections. Once you have received your building permit, the District will give you the list of people you are assigned to provide retrofits for. There is a 3-month time limit for completing retrofits once they have been assigned. Completion of retrofits is a requirement to receive water service.

who can complete the retrofit?
Retrofits must be completed by a licensed plumbing or general contractor. Owners of properties being retrofitted are responsible for any structural issues (such as sub-flooring on toilet replacement) and are responsible for the cost difference exceeding the price of the pre-selected toilet from the District’s Approved Toilet List if requesting upgrades such as color, style, etc.

approved toilet list
The District maintains a list of approved toilets and urinals. The District’s list is derived from a review of literature that evaluates toilets. The list is updated periodically. Click here for the list that should be given to the property owner for toilet choices. For commercial use, only pressure assist toilets are approved at this time unless the recipient specifically requests another type (e.g., gravity or vacuum). Both Zero-water urinal manufacturers (Waterless and Falcon) make District approved urinals.

How many water credits do different sites represent?

See the second page of the Water Demand Offset Program fact sheet for details.

Write to the Conservation Department or engineering for more information about your project and the WDO program requirements. 

	Water Demand Offset Program fact sheet (.PDF document)
	Contractor and Plumber Checklist Fact Sheet (.PDF document)
	WDO Approved Toilet List
	Water Use Efficiency Requirements:
	-Overview for Single-Family Lots -Overview for Developments other than Single- Family Lots -Water Use Efficiency Requirements for subdivisions, planned unit developments, and projects with designated open spaces and landscaped areas other than single-family dwelling lots