California’s New Water Efficiency Standards Are Changing How El Dorado Hills Homeowners Think About Their Plumbing
California homeowners are facing a new reality as starting January 1, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board will change indoor residential water use efficiency standards from 55 to 47 Gallons Per Capita Per Day. This significant reduction represents the state’s ongoing commitment to water conservation and will have direct implications for El Dorado Hills residents and their home plumbing systems.
Understanding the New Standards
The updated water efficiency standards are part of California’s “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” regulation, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. The regulation establishes efficiency goals for urban water retail suppliers in response to 2018 legislative mandates (AB 1668 and SB 606). These standards will continue to tighten, with indoor water use efficiency standard of 55 gallons per capita per day by 2023, declining to 47 gallons per day by 2025, and 42 gallons by 2030 and beyond.
What makes this particularly relevant for El Dorado Hills homeowners is that water use efficiency standards are the regulations water districts, like EMWD, must follow when creating water budgets for customers. This means your local water provider will be adjusting billing structures and conservation targets based on these new state requirements.
Impact on Your Home’s Plumbing System
The good news is that statewide indoor water use averaged 48 gpcd between 2017 and 2019, well below the 55 gpcd placeholder standard, suggesting many California homes are already approaching the new targets. However, El Dorado Hills homeowners should assess their current plumbing fixtures and systems to ensure maximum efficiency.
Indoor residential water use is expected to decline even in the absence of legislation lowering the residential indoor standard due to plumbing code requirements and more efficient appliances and fixtures being used in existing and new homes. This presents an opportunity for homeowners to upgrade their systems proactively.
Key Plumbing Upgrades to Consider
To meet the new standards, El Dorado Hills homeowners should focus on several key areas:
- High-Efficiency Toilets: Older toilets and fixtures use three to five times as much water as today’s standard fixtures. Modern dual-flush and WaterSense-labeled toilets can significantly reduce water consumption.
- Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets: Installing water-efficient fixtures throughout your home can make a substantial difference in daily water usage.
- Leak Detection and Repair: Even small leaks can add up to significant water waste over time.
- Smart Water Monitoring Systems: These devices help track usage patterns and identify opportunities for conservation.
Local Resources and Rebates
El Dorado Hills residents have access to valuable resources through the El Dorado Irrigation District. The District offers several programs and services to City of Placerville and EID customers to help conserve and achieve higher water efficiency in your home or business. Additionally, a rebate of up to $100 per water service account is available to EID customers on a first come, first-served basis while funding lasts, for qualifying purchases. Qualifying devices include high-efficiency toilets and clothes washers, Irrigation efficiency upgrades, weather-based irrigation controllers, and hot water recirculating pumps, electronic flow monitoring devices, and rain barrels.
Why Professional Installation Matters
While the new efficiency standards present challenges, they also create opportunities for homeowners to modernize their plumbing systems. Professional installation ensures that new fixtures are properly sized, installed according to code, and optimized for maximum efficiency. When you need expert guidance on upgrading your plumbing system to meet California’s new water efficiency standards, working with an experienced plumber el dorado hills can make all the difference in achieving compliance while maintaining comfort and functionality.
The Long-Term Benefits
Beyond regulatory compliance, upgrading your plumbing system to meet the new efficiency standards offers several advantages. Homeowners can expect lower water bills, reduced environmental impact, and often improved performance from modern fixtures. The recommended gradual decline in indoor residential water use over time would help ensure resilient water supplies as climate change intensifies drought cycles.
Planning Your Upgrades
As California continues to face water challenges, following consecutive years of heavy rainfall, California experienced record heat and dry conditions during the summer of 2024, which led parts of the state back into drought. Despite late 2024 storms in Northern California, January 2025 saw statewide precipitation fall below average for the water year, resulting in dry conditions across much of the state, especially in Southern California. This underscores the importance of water conservation measures.
For El Dorado Hills homeowners, the key is to start planning now. Consider conducting a home water audit, researching available rebates, and consulting with plumbing professionals about the most cost-effective upgrades for your specific situation. By taking proactive steps, you can ensure your home meets the new standards while potentially saving money on both installation costs and future water bills.
The transition to California’s new water efficiency standards represents both a challenge and an opportunity for El Dorado Hills homeowners. With proper planning, professional guidance, and the right upgrades, your home can exceed the new requirements while contributing to the state’s long-term water sustainability goals.