Why are some fire hydrants open with water discharging?
ACWD cleans water mains to remove the buildup in pipes that may cause discolored water. This is accomplished by opening fire hydrants. As the water flows at high velocities through the mains, scale and fine sediment are dislodged. The resulting discolored water leaves the distribution system through the open fire hydrants. Since some of this water eventually flows into San Francisco Bay, ACWD utilizes disinfectant and sediment removal best management practices to minimize impacts to the environment.

To learn more about the main cleaning program, please visit: www.acwd.org/maincleaning.

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1. Does ACWD have enough water?
2. Is drought a result of climate change?
3. How do I take care of my trees?
4. I’m already saving water. What more can I do to conserve?
5. How long will the water shortage emergency last and restrictions remain in place?
6. What is best practice for irrigating my lawn?
7. I have noticed water waste occurring in my neighborhood, at work, etc. How do I report it?
8. What is the ban on non-functional turf for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers passed by the State of California?
9. What is "non-functional" turf?
10. How do you determine if turf is considered functional or non-functional?
11. Are there exemptions to the non-functional turf ban for commercial, industrial, or institutional properties or HOA common areas?
12. What are some recommended actions to reduce water use?
13. What recommendations does ACWD have for landscape irrigation during drought and beyond?
14. Do I need to let my lawn dry out during every period of drought?
15. Why is new development and construction allowed during droughts and even during water shortage emergencies?
16. I am interested in water conservation. What rebates does ACWD offer residential and commercial customers?
17. I want to put in a new lawn; if I do, will there be restrictions on how much I can water it?
18. Why doesn't your lawn removal rebate program cover artificial turf or concrete if replacing my lawn with these saves water?
19. What is ACWD doing to reduce its water use?
20. Why are some fire hydrants open with water discharging?
21. Why doesn't ACWD recapture the water discharged from fire hydrants in the Main Cleaning Program?
22. Does the State of California offer a lawn removal rebate program I can participate in?
23. Will you be raising your $2/square foot rebate amount for your lawn removal program?
24. Does ACWD offer rebates for removal of other types of landscape, like trees to prevent fire risk?
25. If my water supply is terminated, how can I restore it?