Agenda packet — City Council and Authorities Concurrent, October 21, 2025 (part 4 of 5)

RESOLUTION NO. 25- _

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
FOR EXCEPTION TO THE 180 -DAY WAITING PERIOD TO HIRE A

RETIRED ANNUITANT AS A TEMPORARY EXTRA HELP
EMPLOYEE (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.56 AND
21224) AS A MANAGEMENT ANALYST IN THE COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

WHEREAS, in compliance with Government Code section 7522.56 the City of Santa Clara must provide CalPERS this certification resolution when hiring a retiree before 180 days has passed since his or her retirement date;
WHEREAS, Kathy Bunce (CalPERS ID 6797218792) retired from the City of Santa Clara in the position of Management Analyst in the Community Development Department, effective September 27, 2025;
WHEREAS, section 7522.56 requires that post-retirement employment commence no earlier than 180 days after the retirement date, which is March 31, 2026 , without this certification resolution;
WHEREAS, section 7522.56 provides that this exception to the 180 day wait period shall not apply if the retiree accepts any retirement-related incentive; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara and Kathy Bunce certify that Kathy Bunce has not and will not receive a Golden Handshake or any other retirement-related incentive; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara hereby appoints Kathy Bunce as an extra help retired annuitant to perform the critically needed duties of Temporary Employee for the City of Santa Clara under Government Code section 21224, effective October 27, 2025; WHEREAS, the entire employment agreement, contract or appointment document between the City of Santa Clara and Kathy Bunce has been reviewed by this body and is attached herein; WHEREAS, no matters, issues, terms or conditions related to this employment and appointment have been or will be placed on a consent calendar;
-
Resolution
Rev: 7/27/2023

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WHEREAS, the employment shall be limited to 960 hours per fiscal year;

WHEREAS, the compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties; WHEREAS, effective December 22, 2024, the maximum hourly salary rate for the Temporary Employee position is $214.06, and the minimum hourly equivalent is $18.20; WHEREAS, the hourly rate paid to Kathy Bunce will be $78.22; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Bunce has not and will not receive any other benefit, incentive, compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation in addition to this hourly pay rate.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City of Santa Clara hereby certifies the appointment of Kathy Bunce and that this appointment is necessary to fill the critically needed position of Temporary Employee for the City of Santa Clara. The retired annuitant was a Management Analyst for the Community Development Department and will be rehired performing the comparable duties of the Management Analyst classification. The hourly rate to be paid to Kathy Bunce is consistent with the salary for the classification of Management Analyst, as set forth in the published Unclassified Salary Plan.

2. The Community Development Department, Housing Division is responsible for specific tasks that include but are not limited to grant compliance, including Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reporting, funding of programs for Community Block Development Grants (CBDG), and monitoring compliance of HOME funds.

3. Ms. Bunce will assist with grant oversight, including reporting and overseeing grant funding and compliance, and oversee progress toward meeting CDBG timeliness by May 2026. Ms.

Bunce will evaluate possible changes to the Neighborhood Conservation and Improvement Program (NCIP) home repair program to increase cost efficiency and impact. Ms. Bunce will assess execute the FY 25/26 CDBG and HOME grant agreements with subrecipients once Resolution
Rev: 7/27/2023

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the agreements with HUD are signed. She will help prepare the 26/27 Annual Action Plan and train the new Management Analyst.

4. Effective date. This resolution shall become effective immediately.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE A TRUE COPY OF A RESOLUTION PASSED

AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF HELD ON THE DAY OF __, 2025, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: COUNCILORS:

NOES: COUNCILORS:

ABSENT: COUNCILORS:

ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS:

ATTEST:

NORA PIMENTEL, MMC

ASSISTANT CITY CLERK

CITY OF SANTA CLARA

Attachments incorporated by reference:

1. Bunce, Kathy – Offer Letter

1500 Warburton Avenue ● Santa Clara, CA 95050 ● Phone: 408 -615-2080 ● Fax: 408-985-0667 ● www.SantaClaraCA.gov 1

Human Resources

October 17, 2025

Kathy Bunce

Dear Kathy,

Congratulations! This is to confirm our offer of employment for the As-Needed Temporary Employee (Retired Annuitant) (Job Code 349) position in the Community Development Department with the City of Santa Clara.

This letter serves as our offer of employment. Please review it carefully, sign on the designated signature line, and return the signed letter and attachments referenced below to Ashley Lancaster at [email protected]
.

Below are a few key provisions for your offer of employment:

• Effective Date: Monday, October 27, 2025

• Salary: Your hourly pay rate is $78.22 per hour.

• Employment Status: As-Needed employment as a retired annuitant is not to be considered permanent. As such, this position is not subject to general wage increases or regular salary adjustments. This is an “at-will” position and hours in any given week is not guaranteed.

Under CalPERS regulations and the City of Santa Clara practices, retired annuitants are not permitted to work more than 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). If you reach 960 hours during the fiscal year, your assignment will end.

If you are OR will be employed by another CalPERS agency during the course of your employment with the City of Santa Clara, you must immediately notify the Human Resources Department of any change in your employment status.

By signing this offer, you acknowledge that you meet the retired annuitant rehire requirements set forth by CalPERS
(refer to section Employment of a Retiree). If you
have questions regarding rehire eligibility, please contact CalPERS before signing the offer letter.

• Pre-Hire Packet:

You must complete and sign the documents listed below and return them to your recruiter at [email protected] at the same time you return this letter, accepting the City’s formal offer of employment:
I-9 Form Designation of Beneficiary Form
DMV Authorization for Release of
Driver Record Information
EDD Employee’s Withholding Allowance
Certificate (State Tax Form)
City of
Santa Clara
ThP. CentP.r of What's Possible
Re: City of Santa Clara Offer of Employment – Kathy Bunce

Page 2 of 2 ends

2 New Employee Identification Form Form W-4 (Federal Tax Form) Emergency Contact Form Direct Deposit Authorization Agreement

• Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification: All new employees are required to show documentation which proves their identity and their eligibility to work in the United States.

A list of acceptable documentation can be found at http://uscis.gov/i-9-central/acceptable- documents. Please bring I-9 employment verification identification with you on your first day of employment; original documents are required. You will not be eligible to work until you have completed your I-9 verification.

• New Employee Orientation (NEO): You are required to attend the NEO with the Human Resources Department to continue your employment. You have been scheduled to attend on:
o Monday, October 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
o City of Santa Clara – City Hall: Human Resources Department o Free parking is available at the Triton Museum of Art parking lot (across the street from City Hall)
o Please bring your I-9 employment verification identification with you

If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 615-2080.

Sincerely,

Ashley Lancaster
Human Resources Department, Acting Assistant Director

As a CalPERS retired annuitant, I understand it is my responsibility to confirm my CalPERS retirement formula and eligibility for rehire with CalPERS. I understand violation of CalPERS rules may jeopardize my retirement with CalPERS. I have reviewed the CalPERS guidelines for retired annuitants:
https://www.calpers.ca.gov/retirees/working-after-retirement/retired- annuitant. Initial ___________

I accept the terms and conditions of my employment with the City of Santa Clara.

______________________________________ Date: ______________________ Kathy Bunce

cc: Adam Marcus, Housing and Community Services Division Manager

City of Santa Clara
Agenda Report
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
santaclaraca.gov
@SantaClaraCity
25-1520 Agenda Date: 10/21/2025

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SUBJECT
Action on Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the Necessary Findings of Fact for Modifications to the California Building Standards; Action on Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” for the Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Including Updates to the City’s “Reach Code”; and Setting November 4, 2025 for a Public Hearing on Adoption of such Ordinance (Deferred from October 7, 2025)

BACKGROUND
Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code, governs the design and construction of buildings, facilities and associated equipment throughout California. The California Building Standards Commission updates the Building Standards Code on a triennial basis to improve safety, sustainability, and resiliency, and to incorporate new technology, design, and construction methods. The City of Santa Clara adopted the current 2022 Building Standards Code, with modifications including “Reach Code” provisions, in November of 2022, and those standards have been in effect since January 1, 2023.

Every three years, the local adoption process provides an opportunity for each jurisdiction to make modifications to the Building Standards Code to align with local concerns, by making findings that local climatic, geographical, or topographical conditions justify making the modifications. Local modifications are commonly made to address local context and concerns that may not be applicable statewide. This ordinance is the typical process to adopt the new 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments as noted below, and will be effective January 1, 2026.

In Santa Clara, the local modifications will allow the City to continue implementing the Santa Clara “Reach Code,” which makes local amendments to the California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code to support sustainability goals. The City adopted its first Reach Code in November 2021, following a long public process, and updated it in November 2022. Both versions of the Code increased requirements on new construction to install electric vehicle infrastructure, imposed new obligations to install solar paneling, and mandated the use of electricity as a power source in new construction. As a result of a Federal Appeals Court ruling involving the City of Berkeley, on January 14, 2025, the City Council indefinitely suspended the all-electric provisions of the Reach Code. Staff will return to Council in early 2026 with alternative approaches to encourage electrification in mixed-fuel buildings.

Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” provides for regulations pertaining to design and construction of buildings in the City. For Santa Clara to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Chapters in Title 15 will need to be amended accordingly in the proposed Ordinance. Local modifications are also incorporated into the proposed City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 1 of 5
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Ordinance, accompanied by Resolutions of Findings detailing the local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions justifying those modifications. Following adoption by the City, the Building Official will file a copy of the Ordinance and Resolutions with the California Building Standards Commission and the California Energy Commission.

DISCUSSION
Throughout each code adoption cycle, amendments to the building codes are developed through a lengthy public participation process. State Code Advisory Committees provide recommendations to the California Building Standards Commission on the various proposed amendments to the Building Standards. Following this process, the California Building Standards Commission adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code and published it on July 1, 2025. The 2025 California Building Standards Code will become effective statewide on January 1, 2026.

Local jurisdictions are encouraged to participate in the development of the California Building Standards Code, to be adopted throughout the State, establishing a common level of standards that are universally applicable. Local jurisdictions may then adopt the California Building Standards Code to act as the governing Building Standards Code within their jurisdiction. As part of the triennial code adoption cycle, and pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958 and 18941.5, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code. The parts of the 2025 California Building Standards Code that are included in the proposed adoption are the 2025 California Administrative Code, Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code and Green Building Standards Code. In addition, staff recommends that the Council adopt the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code published by the International Code Council.

Building Code alignment with Fire Safety
Staff is recommending local amendments affecting two of the 2025 California Codes: the Building Code and the Residential Code to align with existing Fire Safety requirements. The Building Division collaborated with the Community Risk Reduction Division of the Fire Department on these local amendments, which primarily concern fire sprinklers and egress paths that are already in place with the Fire Code. These local amendments are intended to address building safety side with relevance to Santa Clara and include the following elements:
1) 2025 California Building Code Chapter 9: Additional Automatic Fire Sprinkler Requirements for existing Group R3 Occupancies; i.e. single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, etc. 2) 2025 California Building Code, Chapter 10: Additional requirements for safe stairway configuration and the routing of emergency exit paths to facilitate emergency egress out of multi-story buildings.
3) 2025 California Building Code, Chapter 19: Additional requirements for Structural Plain Concrete in Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F.
4) 2025 California Residential Code Chapter 3: Additional Automatic Fire Sprinkler System Requirements for existing Group R3 Occupancies; i.e. single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, etc.

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These proposed amendments are intended to promote building safety for future residents in the context of Santa Clara’s growing urban environment, particularly as the City is increasingly granting land use entitlements for higher density Type III and, in some cases, Type I construction, including the use of towers located above podiums. These measures will align with the Fire Code to facilitate egress from such high-rise construction, which is of particular concern in a serious seismic event that could result in structural damage and fires.

Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, incorporating the proposed local amendments, would further the following General Plan policies related to the adoption of building codes and use of the Building Permit process to minimize safety risks for new development:

5.9.3-G1 A safe and secure environment for people and property in the community.

5.9.3 ‐
P1 Encourage design techniques that promote public and property safety in new development and public spaces.

5.10.5-P6 Require that new development is designed to meet current safety standards and implement appropriate building codes to reduce risks associated with geologic conditions. 2025 Reach Code
The local modifications to the Energy Code and CALGreen will allow the continuation of the existing Reach Code provisions on EV Charging and PV panels, and will exceed 2025 state requirements.

The proposed ordinance also adopts the 2025 versions of the California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code, with modifications to the following sections:
1) 2025 California Energy Code, Section 110.10: Additional requirements for Solar Readiness for Non-Residential and Multi-Family Buildings.
2) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Section 4.106: Additional requirements for increased electric vehicle charging stations for Residential projects and 3) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Section 5.106: Additional requirements for increased electric vehicle charging stations for Non-Residential development.

With regards to Electric Vehicle (EV) and Photovoltaic (PV) standards, in some cases the new State standards exceed the requirements of the current (2022) Reach Code; in other cases, the City’s Reach Code continues to exceed the state standards. Consequently, staff recommends the Council adopt amendments that would align the current Reach Code with the relevant 2025 code sections, but maintain all portions of the existing Reach Code that provide higher standards.

Attachment 4 includes two charts regarding EV and PV standards comparing the current 2022 Reach Code to the 2025 Green Building Standards Code (“CalGreen”), and what is proposed to be included in the 2025 updated Reach Code. The charts show that the majority of the City’s current Reach Code standards for EV and PV are proposed to be continued in the updated 2025 Reach Code because City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 3 of 5
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the current Reach Code has higher requirements for sustainability than the new 2025 CalGreen standards. There are a few areas where the CalGreen standard is higher and proposed to be adopted instead of the current Reach Code standard. Specifically, the 2025 state standards for EV charging for hotels and motels; and the state photovoltaic requirements for single family, duplex, and multifamily developments are higher than the current Reach Code, so it is proposed that the state standards be adopted in those categories.

The third component of the prior Reach Codes were the all-electric requirements. Sections

15.36.040 through 15.36.080 of the City Code mandated the use of electricity as a power source in new construction, and limits the installation of natural gas plumbing and meters. The City of Berkeley adopted a similar ordinance in 2019, and the California Restaurant Association sued, alleging that the ordinance was preempted by a federal statute, the “Energy Policy and Conservation Act,” which established energy efficiency requirements for certain appliances. The case ultimately made its way to the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which struck down the Berkeley Code, concluding that the Federal law preempted not just State and local regulation of gas appliances, but also local regulations that prohibited natural gas delivery systems in new development. In response, on January 14, 2025, the Santa Clara City Council indefinitely suspended the all-electric provisions of the Reach Code, and gave staff direction to prepare a revised Reach Code utilizing one or more alternate approaches that do not directly prohibit natural gas infrastructure. Staff is in the process of drafting the revised text and will return in early 2026 with alternative approaches to encourage electrification in mixed-fuel buildings.

Findings
In order to adopt the above modifications, the City must prepare findings describing the climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions justifying the modifications, which must be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC). In addition, for the Reach Code provisions, a set of findings must be submitted to the California Energy Commission (CEC). To that end, Attachment 2 is a resolution containing the findings for the adoption of the changes to the Building Code and Residential Code; attachment 3 is a resolution of findings containing the Reach Code changes. Both resolutions will be submitted to the CBSC; the second resolution will be submitted to the CEC.

Although CEC pre-approval is required for certain kinds of modifications, in this case, because the City’s local standards are not changing substantively, they be in effect on January 1, 2026.

Recommendation
The 2025 Building Codes will take effect on January 1, 2026, even if the Council declines to take action. The Council must adopt the ordinance, however, if the local modifications described above are to become effective. Therefore, the Council’s options are to adopt the proposed ordinance with the proposed local modifications, or take no action, in which case the local modifications will not go into effect. The local modifications to the Building Code and Residential Code are similar to those adopted in 2022 and will promote public safety goals and alignment with the Fire Code. The local modifications to the Energy Code and CALGreen will allow the continuation of the existing Reach Code provisions on EV Charging and PV panels, to the extent that they exceed 2025 state requirements. Consequently, staff recommends that the Council adopt the local modifications.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
To the extent the proposed modifications revise existing standards, the action being considered is City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 4 of 5
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exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15305 in that it is a minor alteration in land use limitations that will not result in any changes in land use or density, and section 15308 in that it is an action taken by a regulatory agency as authorized by California law to assure maintenance or protection of the environment. However, the large majority of the contemplated actions do not modify existing standards, and to that extent, do not constitute a “project” subject to CEQA.

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense.

COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Fire Department and the City Attorney’s Office.

PUBLIC CONTACT
A public notice of the public hearing to be held on November 4, 2025, is scheduled to be advertised in the Santa Clara Weekly on October 22, 2025, and October 29, 2025. Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email [email protected] or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Waive first reading and Introduce an Ordinance amending Chapter 15.05 ("Administrative Code"), Chapter 15.15 (“Building Code”), Chapter 15.17 (“Residential Code”), Chapter 15.18 ("Property Maintenance Code"), Chapter 15.20 (“Electrical Code”), Chapter 15.30 (“Mechanical Code”), Chapter 15.35 (“Plumbing Code”), Chapter 15.36 (“Energy Code”), Chapter 15.37 (“Historical Building Code”), Chapter 15.38 (“Green Building Code”), and Chapter 15.75 ("Existing Building Code") of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” for the adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code;

2. Adopt a Resolution Making Findings of Fact Necessary for the Specified Modifications to the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code Reflected in the Proposed Ordinance;

3. Adopt a Resolution Making Findings of Fact Necessary for the Specified Modifications to the 2025 California Energy Code and 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Reflected in the Proposed Ordinance; and

4. Set a public hearing on November 4, 2025, pursuant to California Government Code Section 50022.3 for adoption of the Ordinance.

Reviewed by: Afshan Hamid, Director of Community Development Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager

ATTACHMENTS

1. Building Division Code Adoption Ordinance 2025

2. Findings Resolution / Building and Residential Code Adoption 2025

3. Findings Resolution / Energy and CALGreen Code Adoption 2025

4. Comparison Table for EV and PV: 2022 Reach Code, 2025 CalGreen Code, and Updated 2025 Reach Code
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ORDINANCE NO. _____

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15.05 ("ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE"), CHAPTER 15.15 (“BUILDING CODE”), CHAPTER

15.17 (“RESIDENTIAL CODE”), CHAPTER 15.18 ("PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE CODE") , CHAPTER 15.20 (“ELECTRICAL
CODE”), CHAPTER 15.30 (“MECHANICAL CODE”), CHAPTER

15.35 (“PLUMBING CODE”), CHAPTER 15.36 (“ENERGY
CODE”), CHAPTER 15.37 (“HISTORICAL BUILDING
CODE”), CHAPTER 15.38 (“GREEN BUILDING CODE”), AND
CHAPTER 15.75 (“EXISTING BUILDING CODE”), OF TITLE 15
(“BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION”) OF “THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA” FOR THE ADOPTION
OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, AS

AMENDED HEREIN

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

WHEREAS, the California Building Standards Commission has adopted and published an updated Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also referred to as the 202 5 California Building Standards Code, that will become effective statewide on January 1, 2026; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara has reviewed and determined to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958 and 18941.5.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, AS FOLLOWS:

For m at t ed: Indent: L eft: 0" , Firs t line: 0"
1~·=
SECTION 1: That Chapter 15.05 (“Administrative Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.05

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

15.05.010 Adoption of Administrative Code.

The 2025 California Administrative Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 1 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 2025 Administrative Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Administrative Code” for the City of Santa Clara.” SECTION 2: That Chapter 15.15 (“Building Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.15

BUILDING CODE

15.15.010 Adoption of Building Code.

The 2025 California Building Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The adoption includes Appendix A through Appendix O. The 2025 California Building Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Building Code” for the City of Santa Clara.

15.15.020 Group R3 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Volume 1 of the 20225 California Building Code, Chapter 9, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, Section 903, Automatic Sprinkler Systems, Subsection 903.2.8.1, Group R-3, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 903.2.8.1:
“Section 903.2.8.1.1 Additions to Group R3, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems. An automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, shall be provided throughout existing buildings, when additions are made that increase the square footage of a building by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing buildings when new basements, regardless of size, are added or when existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.”

15.15.030 Stairways
Volume 1 of the 20225 California Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1011, Stairways, Subsection 1011.1, General, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1011.1:
“Section 1011.1.1 Stairway Configuration. Stairways shafts which are part of a required means of egress and which are required to be fire rated enclosed on any side, shall be entirely vertical without horizontal offsets.”

15.15.040 Exit Access
Volume 1 of the 20225 California Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1016, Exit Access, Subsection 1016.1, General, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1016.1:
“Section 1016.1.1 Exit Access Configuration. Exit Access in multi-story buildings which are part of the required means of egress from a stairway, and which are required to be fire rated, shall be routed to the exterior of the building or structure in the shortest configuration possible.”

15.15.050 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps
Volume 1 of the 20225 California Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1022, Exits, Subsection 1022.1, General, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1022.1:
“Section 1022.1.1 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps Configuration. Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps in multi-story buildings which are part of the required means of egress, and which are required to be fire rated, shall be routed to the exterior of the building or structure in the shortest configuration possible.”

15.15.060 Plain Concrete
Volume 2 of the 20225 California Building Code, Chapter 19, Concrete, Section 1905, Modifications to ACI 318Seismic Requirements, Subsection 1905.1.71905.6, Structural Plain Concrete Elements, ACI 318, Section 14.1.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“1905.1.7 ACI 318 Section 14.1.4.1905.6 Structural Plan Concrete. Delete ACI 318, Section

14.1.4 and replace with the following:Structural plain concrete elements shall comply with this section in lieu of section 14.1.4 of ACI 318.
1905.6.1 - Left intentionally blank.

14.1.4 - Plain concrete in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F.

14.1.4.1-1905.6.2 - Seismic Design Categories C, D, E and F.

Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:
(a)1. Left intentionally blank.
(a)2. Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness. (a)3. Plain concrete footings supporting walls are permitted, provided the footings have at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4, with a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross- sectional area of the footing. A minimum of one bar shall be provided at the For m at t ed: Font: (D efault) A rial
For m at t ed: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + A lignment: Left + A ligned at:

0.5" + Indent at: 0.75"
1-~-- ~
I _~- ~[______]
top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.”
SECTION 3: That Chapter 15.17 (“Residential Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.17

RESIDENTIAL CODE

15.17.010 Adoption of Residential Code.

The 20252 California Residential Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The adoption includes Appendices: AA, BB, AHBF, BOAJ, BBAQ, AAAV, CIAX and CJAZ. The 20252 California Residential Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Residential Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”

15.17.020 Townhouse Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
California Residential Code, Chapter 3, Building Planning, Section R30913, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Subsection R30913.1, Townhouse Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
“Section R30913.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing townhouses, when additions are made that increase buildings square footage by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet.

2. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire For m at t ed: Not H ighlight
i
sprinkler system installed where the additions are 1,200 square feet or less and the building area will be 3,600 square feet or less.

3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing townhouses when new basements, regardless of size, are added or when existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.”

15.17.030 One- and Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems California Residential Code, Chapter 3, Building Planning, Section R30913, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Subsection R30913.2, One- and Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, is hereby deleted and replaced with:
“Section R30913.2. One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings, including Accessory Dwelling Units, except as otherwise provided below.

1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing One- and Two-Family Dwellings, when additions are made that increase buildings square footage by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential sprinkler system where the additions or alterations are 1,200 square feet or less and the building area will be 3,600 square feet or less. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout One- and Two-Family Dwellings when new basements, regardless of size, are added and existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.

2. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, provided that all of the following are met:

2.1. The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in Government Code Section 65852.2.

2.2. The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers.

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2.3. If the accessory dwelling unit is detached, it does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size.

2.4 The unit is on the same lot as the primary residence.” SECTION 4 : That Chapter 15.18 (“Property Maintenance Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.18

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE

15.18.010 Adoption of International Property Maintenance Code

The 20241 International Property Maintenance Code, published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20241 International Property Maintenance Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Property Maintenance Code” for the City of Santa Clara.

15.18.020 References to “Housing Code”.

Any reference to the “Housing Code” contained within the Code of the City of Santa Clara, California shall be interpreted as a reference to the Property Maintenance Code.” SECTION 5: That Chapter 15.20 (“Electrical Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.20

ELECTRICAL CODE

15.20.010 Adoption of Electrical Code.

The 20252 California Electrical Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 3 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20252 California Electrical Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Electrical Code” for the City of Santa Clara.” For m at t ed: Not H ighlight
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SECTION 6: That Chapter 15.30 (“Mechanical Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.30

MECHANICAL CODE

15.30.010 Adoption of Mechanical Code.

The 20252 California Mechanical Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 4 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20252 California Mechanical Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Mechanical Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”
SECTION 7: That Chapter 15.35 (“Plumbing Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.35

PLUMBING CODE

15.35.010 Adoption of Plumbing Code.

The 20252 California Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The adoption includes Appendix A , C, D, E, F, G, I, J, K, R and Sthrough Appendix M. The 20252 California Plumbing Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Plumbing Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”
SECTION 8: That Chapter 15.36 (“Energy Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.36

ENERGY CODE

15.36.010 Adoption of Energy Code.

The 20252 California Energy Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20252 California Energy Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Energy Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”

15.36.010. Title.

15.36.020. Adoption by Reference.

15.36.030. Solar requirements.

15.36.010. Adoption of Energy Code.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Energy Code for the City of Santa Clara."

15.36.020. Adoption by reference.

The "2025 California Energy Code" published by the International Code Council and the State Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24, Part 6 is hereby adopted by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter, with changes and modifications as hereinafter set forth, as the "Energy Code" for the City of Santa Clara.

15.36.030. Solar requirements.
(a) Title. The Title of 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10, (“Mandatory Requirements for Solar-Readiness,” ), title, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 110.10 - MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR

READINESS AND SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW
NON-RESIDENTIAL AND MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS”
(b) Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High-rise Multifamily Buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a)3, (“Covered Occupancies-Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High-rise Multifamily Buildings,”) is hereby amended to read as follows:

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“3. Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High -rise Multifamily Buildings.

Hotel/motel occupancies and high-rise multifamily buildings with ten habitable stories or fewer, that do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 110.10-A.”

(c) Nonresidential Buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a)4, (“Covered Occupancies - Nonresidential Buildings,”) is hereby amended to read as follows: ·

“4. Nonresidential Buildings. Nonresidential buildings with three habitable stories or fewer, other than I -2 and I2.1 buildings that do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 110.10-A.”

(d) Solar Panel Requirements for All New Nonresidential and High- Rise Residential Buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies — Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a), (“Covered Occupancies,”) is hereby amended by adding the following table to the end of subsection (a):

Table 110.10-A: Solar Panel Requirements for All New Nonresidential and High- Rise Residential Buildings
Square footage of building Size of panel
Less than 10,000 sq. ft. Minimum of 3-kilowatt PV systems Greater than or equal to 10,000 sq.
ft.

Minimum of 5-kilowatt PV systems
EXCEPTION: As an alternative to a solar PV system, the building type may provide a solar hot water system (solar thermal) with a minimum collector area of 40 square feet, additional to any other solar thermal equipment otherwise required for compliance with Part 6

(e) Minimum solar area - exceptions. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies —Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)1B, (“Minimum Solar Zone Area- Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies and Nonresidential Buildings ),” Exception 2, is hereby amended to read as follows:

I F I

“EXCEPTION 2 to Section 110.10(b)1B: High-rise multifamily buildings, hotel/motel occupancies with a permanently installed domestic solar water- heating system complying with Section 150.1(c)8Biii and an additional collector area of 40 square feet.”

(f) Minimum solar area - performance equivalency. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)1B, (“Minimum Solar Zone Area - Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies, and Nonresidential Buildings”), is hereby amended by adding the following new Exception 6 after Exception 5:

“EXCEPTION 6 to Section 110.10(b)1B: Performance equivalency approved by the Building Official.”

(g) Minimum solar area - shading. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)3, (“Minimum Solar Zone Area -– Shading”,) is hereby amended by adding the following after Paragraph B:

“110.10(b)3C. The solar zone needs to account for shading from obstructions that may impact the area required in 110.10(b)1B. When determined by the Building Official that conditions exist where excessive shading occurs and solar zones cannot be met, a performance equivalency approved by the Building Official may be used as an alternative.”

SECTION 9 : That Chapter 15.37 (“Historical Building Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.37

HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

15.37.010 Adoption of Historical Building Code.

The 20252 California Historical Building Code, published by the California Building Standards Commission in Part 8 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20252 California Historical Building Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Historical Building Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”

SECTION 10 : That Chapter 15.38 (“Green Building Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.38

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

15.38.010. Title.

15.38.020. Adoption by Reference.

15.38.030. Definitions.

15.38.040. Residential mandatory measures-Electric vehicle (EV) charging.

15.38.050. Non-residential mandatory measures-Electric vehicle (EV) charging.

15.38.010. Title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Green Building Standards Code" for the City of Santa Clara.

15.38.020. Adoption by reference.

The "2025 California Green Building Standards Code" adopted by the State Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24, Part 11 is hereby adopted by reference, with changes and modifications as hereinafter set forth, as the Green Building Standards Code of the City of Santa Clara.

15.38.030. Definitions.
2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 1, Definitions, Section 202 (Definitions) is hereby amended by adding the following definitions:

“EV Capable: A parking space linked to a listed electrical panel with sufficient capacity to provide at least 110/120 volts and 20 amperes to the parking space.

Raceways linking the electrical panel and parking space only need to be installed in spaces that will be inaccessible in the future, either trenched underground or where penetrations to walls, floors, or other partitions would otherwise be required for future installation of branch circuits. Raceways must be at least 1" in diameter and may be sized for multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code. The panel circuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) reserved for EV charging as "EV CAPABLE." Construction documents shall indicate future completion of raceway from the panel to the parking space, via the installed inaccessible raceways. The parking space shall contain signage with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space indicating the space is designated as EV Capable for future connection of infrastructure at the designed voltage and amperage levels.

Level 1 EV Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with a minimum of 110/120 volt, 20-ampere capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space, orb) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

Low Power Level 2 EV Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with 208/240 volt, 20 ampere minimum branch circuit capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 15 amperes.

Level 2 EV Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with 208/240 volt, 40-ampere capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space, orb) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 30 amperes.

Level 3/Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC): A parking space that includes the installation of a charger with the capacity to provide at least 80 kW of output.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS): A parking space that includes installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum capacity of 30 amperes connected to a circuit serving a Level 2 EV Ready Space. EVCS installation may be used to satisfy a Level 2 EV Ready Space requirement. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Article 625.

Affordable Housing: Residential buildings that entirely consist of units below market rate and whose rents or sales prices are governed my local agencies to be affordable based on area median income.”

15.38.040. Residential mandatory measures-Electric vehicle (EV) charging.

(a) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 4, Mandatory For m at t ed: Left Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction) is hereby amended to read as follows:

4.106.4. Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction. New construction shall comply with Sections 4.106.4.1 or 4.106.4.2 to facilitate future installation and use of EV chargers. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Article 625.

Exceptions:

As per the CalGreen code, the Chief Building Official will make determinations of exceptions.

1. On a case-by-case basis, where the local enforcing agency has determined EV charging and infrastructure are not feasible based upon one or more of the following conditions:

1.1 Where there is no local utility power supply or the local utility is unable to supply adequate power.

1.2 Where there is evidence suitable to the local enforcing agency substantiating that additional local utility infrastructure design requirements, directly related to the implementation of Section

4.106.4, may adversely impact the construction cost of the project.

2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU) without additional parking facilities, and without electrical panel upgrade or new panel installation. ADUs and JADUs without additional parking but with electrical panel upgrades or new panels must have reserved breakers and electrical capacity according to the requirements of 4.106.4.1.

3. Multifamily residential building projects with valid entitlements granted by the City that have not otherwise expired before the effective date of this ordinance shall provide at least ten (10) percent of the total number of parking spaces on a building site, provided for all types of parking facilities, with Level 2 EV Ready Circuits. Calculations for the required number of EV spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

4. Spaces Accessible only by automated mechanical car parking systems are excepted from providing EV charging infrastructure.

(b) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4.1 (New one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses with attached private garages) is hereby amended to read as follows:

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“4.106.4.1 New one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

1. In private garages with two or more parking spaces, install one Level 2 EV Ready Space and one Level 1 EV Ready Space.

2. For each dwelling unit with only one parking space, install a Level 2 EV Ready Space

3. For parking spaces not assigned to a dwelling unit:
a. 25% of the unassigned parking space(s) shall be Level 2 EV Ready Space(s)
b. 75% of the unassigned space(s) shall be Low Power Level 2 EV Ready Space(s)

Calculations for the required minimum number of EV Ready spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.”

4.106.4.1.1 (Identification) is hereby amended to read as follows:

“4.106.4.1.1. Identification. The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "Level 2 EV-Ready".

(d) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section

4.106.4.2.2 (Multifamily dwellings.) is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following item 2. to the end of that section :

“3. Multifamily dwellings with less than 20 dwelling units. The following requirements apply to all new multifamily dwellings with less than 20 units, and the residential portion of mixed-use buildings with less than 20 units.

a. For multifamily buildings with less than 20 dwelling units.One parking space per dwelling unit with parking shall be provided with a Level 2 EV Ready Space.

4. Multifamily buildings with 20 dwelling units or more and for the residential portion of mixed-use buildings with 20 dwelling units or more:

a. Multifamily dwellings with 20 or more dwelling units:Provide one Level 2 EV Ready Space for each of the first 20 dwelling units with parking space(s)
b. For all additional dwelling units above 20 with parking space(s):
i. 25% of dwelling units with parking space(s) shall be provided with at least one Level 2 EV Ready Space
For m at t ed: Indent: L eft: 0.61" , No bullets or
numbering
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ii. 75% of dwelling units with parking spaces shall be provided with at least one Low Power Level 2 EV Ready Space

5. All multifamily residential developments shall include secured bicycle parking with110v electrical outlets.

Exception: For all Multifamily Affordable housing, 10% of dwelling units with parking space(s) shall be provided with at least one Level 2 EV Ready Space. Calculations for the required minimum number of Level 2 EV Ready spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. The remaining dwelling units with parking space(s) shall each be provided with at least one Level 1 EV Ready Space.

Construction plans and specifications shall demonstrate that all raceways shall be a minimum of 1" and sufficient for installation of Level 2 Ready Spaces and all required EV Capable spaces; Electrical calculations shall substantiate the design of the electrical system to include the rating of equipment and any on-site distribution transformers, and have sufficient capacity to simultaneously charge EVs at all required EV spaces including EV Capable spaces; and service panel or subpanel(s) shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate the required number of dedicated branch circuit(s) for the future installation of the EVSE.

Notes:

1. ALMS may be installed to decrease electrical service and transformer costs associated with EV Charging Equipment subject to review of the authority having jurisdiction.

2. Installation of Level 2 EV Ready Spaces above the minimum number required level may offset the minimum number Level 1 EV Ready Spaces required on a 1:1 basis.

1. The multifamily requirements apply to multifamily buildings with parking spaces including: a) assigned or leased to individual dwelling units, and b) unassigned residential parking.

4. In order to adhere to accessibility requirements in accordance with California Building Code Chapters 11A
and/or 11B, it is recommended that all accessible parking spaces for covered newly constructed multifamily dwellings are provided with Level 1 or Level 2 EV Ready Spaces.”

15.38.050. Nonresidential mandatory measures-Electric vehicle (EV) charging.

(a) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is hereby amended by adding the following exception after exception 2:

3. Installation of each Level 3/Direct Current Fast Charger with the capacity to provide at least 80 kW output may substitute for 11 Level 2 EVCS spaces after a minimum of 11 Level 2 EVCS spaces are installed.

(b) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.1 (EV capable spaces) is hereby amended to read as follows:

“5.106.5.3.1 EV Capable Spaces

Nonresidential buildings (excluding hotels and motels) and nonresidential portions of mixed use buildings: EV capable spaces shall be provided as specified below and per the following requirements:

1. 35% of parking spaces shall be EV Capable.

2. Raceways complying with the California Electrical Code and no less than 1-inch (25 mm) diameter shall be provided and shall originate at a service panel or a subpanel(s) serving the area, and shall terminate in close proximity to the proposed location of the capable space and into a suitable listed cabinet, box, enclosure or equivalent. A common raceway may be used to serve multiple capable spaces.

3. A service panel or subpanel(s) shall be provided with panel space and electrical load capacity for a dedicated 208/240 volt, 40-ampere minimum branch circuit for each capable space, with delivery of 30- ampere minimum to an installed at each

4. The electrical system and any on-site distribution transformers shall have sufficient capacity to supply full rated amperage at each capable space.

5. The service panel or subpanel circuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) as "EV CAPABLE". The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "EV CAPABLE."

Calculations for the required minimum number of spaces shall all be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Construction plans and specifications shall demonstrate that all raceways shall be a minimum of 1" and sufficient for installation at all required EVCS; For m at t ed: Left
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electrical calculations shall substantiate the design of the electrical system to include the rating of equipment and any on- site distribution transformers, and have sufficient capacity to simultaneously charge EVs at all required EVCS including EV Capable spaces; and service panel or subpanel(s) shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate the required number of dedicated branch circuit(s) for the future installation of the EVCS.

(c) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.2 (Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS)) is hereby amended to read as follows, but Sections

5.106.5.3.2.1 through 5.106.5.3.2.4.1 shall remain unchanged:

“5.106.5.3.2 Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS)

Nonresidential buildings (excluding hotels and motels) and nonresidential portions of mixed use buildings: In addition to the EV Capable Space requirements of Section 5.106.5.3.1, nonresidential buildings (excluding hotels and motels) and nonresidential portions of mixed use buildings shall comply with the following:

1. An additional 35% of parking spaces shall be provided with EVCS.

2. Required EVCS may be provided in any combination of Level 2 and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC), except that at least one Level 2 EVSE shall be provided.

Sections 5.106.5.3.2.1 through 5.106.5.3.2.4.1 remain unchanged.

Notes:

1. Calculations for the required minimum number of spaces equipped with EVCS shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Notes:

2. 1. ALMS may be installed to increase the number of EV chargers or the amperage or voltage beyond the minimum requirements in this code. The option does not allow for installing less electrical panel capacity than would be required without ALMS.
//

(d) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.3 (Use of Automatic Load Management System (ALMS)) is hereby amended to read as follows:
“5.106.5.3.3. Use of Automatic Load Management Systems (ALMS) For m at t ed: Left
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For m at t ed: Outline numbered + Level: 6 + Numbering
Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + A lignment: Left +
A ligned at: 1.05" + Indent at: 1.53"
For m at t ed: Indent: L eft: 1.06" , Hanging: 0.49" , Outline numbered + Level: 6 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + A lignment: Left + A ligned at: 1.05" + Indent at: 1.53"
For m at t ed: Font: (D efault) + Body (A ria l)
For m at t ed: Right: 0.11" , Space A fter: 0 pt, Line s pac ing: M ultiple 1.06 li, Outline numbered + Level: 6 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + A lignment:

Left + A ligned at: 1.05" + Indent at: 1.53" , No
widow/orphan c ontrol, D on't adjus t s pace between L atin and A sian tex t, D on't adjus t s pace between A sian tex t and numbers , Tab st o p s: 1.55" , Left + 1.55" , Left For m at t ed: Font: (D efault) + Body (A ria l)
For m at t ed: Right: 0.11" , Line s pac ing: M ultiple 1.06 li, Outline numbered + Level: 6 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + A lignment: Left + A ligned at: 1.05" + Indent at: 1.53" , No widow/orphan c ontrol, D on't adjus t s pace between L atin and A sian tex t, D on't adjus t s pace between A sian tex t and numbers , Tab st o p s: 1.55" , Left + 1.55" , Left + Not at 1.07"
For m at t ed: L eft, Indent: L eft: 0.1" , Hanging: 0.48" , Right: 0.11" , Space Before: 0 pt, Line s pac ing: M ultiple

1.04 li
For m at t ed: Right: 0.35" , Space Before: A uto
ALMS shall be permitted for EVCS. When ALMS is installed, the required electrical load capacity specified in Section 5.106.5.3.1 and Section 5.106.5.3.2 for each EVCS may be reduced when serviced by an EVSE controlled by an ALMS. Each EVSE controlled by an ALMS shall deliver a minimum 30 amperes to an EV when charging one vehicle and shall deliver a minimum 3.3 kW while simultaneously charging multiple EVs.”

(e) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.5 (Electric vehicle charging station signage.) is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Section 5.106.5.3.5 :

“5.106.5.3.5.1 Raceway Identification. The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "EV Ready".”

15.38.010 Adoption of Green Building Standards Code.

The 20252 California Green Building Standards Code, published by the California Building Standards Commission in Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20252 California Green Building Standards Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Green Building Standards Code” for the City of Santa Clara.” SECTION 11: That Chapter 15.75 (“California Existing Building Code”) of Title 15 (“Buildings and Construction”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” (“SCCC”) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Chapter 15.75

EXISTING BUILDING CODE

15.75.010 Adoption of Existing Building Code.

The 20252 California Existing Building Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. and the California Building Standards Commission in Part 10 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby adopted and by this reference expressly incorporated and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein. The 20225 California Existing For m at t ed: Right: 0.35" , Space Before: A uto, Line s pac ing: single
Building Code shall be designated and referred to as the “Existing Building Code” for the City of Santa Clara.”
SECTION 12: Savings clause. The changes provided for in this ordinance shall not affect any offense or act committed or done or any penalty or forfeiture incurred or any right established or accruing before the effective date of this ordinance; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit or proceeding pending or any judgment rendered prior to the effective date of this ordinance. All fee schedules shall remain in force until superseded by the fee schedules adopted by the City Council.

SECTION 13: Sections 8 and 10 of this ordinance modify the City’s Energy Code and Green Building Code, which are also proposed to be modified by Ordinance No. XXXX (2023 Reach Code). Sections 8 and 10 of this ordinance shall only become effective if Ordinance No. XXX X is not enacted within 30 days of the adoption date of this ordinance. If Ordinance No. XXXX is adopted within 30 days of the adoption date of this ordinance, Sections 8 and 10 of this ordinance shall not become operative.

SECTION 14 : Effective date . This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its final adoption, but no sooner than January 1, 20263 ; however, prior to its final adoption it shall be published in accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 50022.3 and Sections 808 and 812 of “The Charter of the City of Santa Clara, California.” PASSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLICATION this _____ day of _________, 20252, by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCILORS:

NOES: COUNCILORS:

ABSENT: COUNCILORS:

ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS:

ATTEST:
___________________________

NORA PIMENTEL, MMC

ASSISTANT CITY CLERK

CITY OF SANTA CLARA
For m at t ed: H ighlight
Commented [AL1]: Xander, we don’t need this anymore.

I have incorporated the reach code into the body of this ordinance.

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Attachments incorporated by reference: None
I:\BLDG\Ordinance\20252 Code Adoption

RESOLUTION NO. _____

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA,

CALIFORNIA, MAKING FINDINGS REQUIRED BY SECTIONS
17958.5 AND 18941.5 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND

SAFETY CODE JUSTIFYING CERTAIN LOCAL
MODIFICATIONS TO THE 20252 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
AND 20252 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE TO INCREASE

BUILDING SAFETY

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

WHEREAS, the State of California recently adopted and amended the Model Codes of the International Code Council and related Uniform Code publishers, and they will become applicable to all California cities as the California Building Standards Code on January 1, 20263; WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 17922, 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, the City may adopt modifications to the provisions of the California Building Standards Code that are reasonably necessary to protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents of Santa Clara because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions;
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 18941.5(b) and 17958.5, the City may adopt local amendments to the Model Codes; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara (“City”) has worked with other Bay Area jurisdictions and the International Code Council chapters to adopt local amendments which are necessary based upon our climatic, topographical or geological changes; and WHEREAS, the City must set forth the justifications for those local amendments.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

1. Global Findings. That it the Council finds and determines there is a need to adopt the changes or modifications because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.

A. Climatic.

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a. Precipitation. Average annual rainfall for the City is approximately 15.4 inches per year. The region continues to experience extended periods of drought, and as of August 2025, Santa Clara County is classified as abnormally dry to moderately drought-affected. This follows a multi-year pattern, with the City maintaining water conservation measures amid persistently dry conditions and an uncertain outlook. Conversely, the City has also experienced heavy rainfall seasons like that of 2016-2017, which caused widespread flooding, and the area has seen cyclical extremes, with projections indicating more intense precipitation events due to climate change. These patterns heighten fire and flood risks, potentially straining fire department resources. Average annual rainfall for the City is approximately 15.4 inches per year. The region continues to experience extended periods of drought, and is currently in the third year of an extended drought that began in 2019. In 2021, the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a water shortage emergency and in 2022, the City’s Director of Emergency Services proclaimed a local drought emergency. In response, the City Council implemented the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Following the 2016-2017 winter season, which brought record levels of rain and snow, the region experienced widespread flooding. This cyclical pattern of extreme weather is expected to continue, increasing the fire and flood risk as the impacts of global warming intensify. Each of these cycles has the potential of adversely impacting the fire department’s capabilities, from staffing to response times. b. Relative Humidity. The average relative humidity ranges from 50% during daytime to 70% at night. It drops to approximately 40% during the summer months and occasionally exceeds 80% in the winter months. Low humidity, particularly during the summer months, heightens fire risk, especially in drought conditions.
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c. Temperatures. Recorded temperatures range from 19°F to 109°F, with average summer highs of 78°– 82°F and winter lows of 28°– 35°F. Climate change is increasing heatwave frequency, with 19 days per year above 92.2°F projected by 2050, compared to 7 days in 1990.Temperatures have been recorded as high as 109° F. and as low as 19°F. Average summer highs are in the 78°–82° F. range and winter lows average 28°–35° F. d. Winds. Prevailing winds are from the Northwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction throughout the year. Velocities are generally in the 5-mph to 15-mph range, with a mean speed of 5.8 mph, and gusts ranging from 7.4 mph to 30 mph, particularly during the summer months.

Extreme winds, up to 60 mph, have been recorded.
d.
e. Climatic Summary. These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of fires in the community. Times of little or no rainfall, low humidity, and high temperatures create extremely hazardous fire conditions, particularly as they relate to vegetation and combustible construction. These impacts are only expected to grow as the region’s population increases and the effects of global warming intensify. The winds experienced in the Santa Clara area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires where buildings are in close proximity to one another, which is commonly found in the City. During structure fires, winds can carry embers and burning brands to other structures, spreading the fire and posing the risk of conflagration. In building fires, winds can force fires back into the building and can create a “blowtorch effect,” increasing the fire’s intensity and speed of spread throughout the building.

B. Geological and Topographical
For m at t ed: Indent: L eft: 1" , No bullets or numbering a. Geographic Location. The City of Santa Clara is located in Santa Clara Valley and is approximately 45 miles south of San Francisco and 382 miles north of Los Angeles.
b. Seismic Location. The City of Santa Clara is situated on alluvial soils between San Francisco Bay and the San Andreas Fault zone. The City's location makes its taller and older structures particularly vulnerable to damage caused by significant seismic events. The relatively young geological processes that created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today. Seismically, the City sits between two active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Hayward/Calaveras) and other potentially active faults. According to the Association of Bay Area Governments, the City of Santa Clara is located in a very high-risk seismic zone.

This zone includes the City’s industrial area, which contains the largest concentration of hazardous materials, and has seen a significant increase in high-density residential development.
c. Seismic Events, Fire and Hazardous Material Releases. Fire following an earthquake may potentially cause greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. A large number of residential dwellings in the City have combustible roofs, which add significantly to the risk of structural fires after an earthquake. Should a significant seismic event occur, hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest number of people. In the event of a widespread catastrophic event, public safety service resources would be seriously impacted, and possibly unavailable to effectively respond to all emergencies.
d. Other variables increase the risk from fire and hazardous material releases after a major earthquake including:

1. The extent of damage to the water system;

2. The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse;

3. The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways;

4. Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds);

5. The time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours;

6. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance;

7. The concentration of combustible structures (wood frame) in the residential, mercantile and light industrial zones.
e. Soil Conditions. The City lies at the southern end of San Francisco Bay and is built atop the alluvial deposits that surround the margins of the Bay. The alluvium was created by the flooding of the many streams emptying into the San Francisco Bay depression, and from intermittent seawater inundation that has occurred over the last 2 or 3 million years. The areas closest to the Bay are overlain by unconsolidated fine silty clay, known as Bay Mud, which varies in thickness from a few feet to as much as 30 feet. Generally, the older, more stable alluvium is located to the south and the younger, less stable material is located to the north. Bedrock lies beneath the area at depths of 300 feet or more. f. Topography. The topography is essentially flat, dropping from an elevation of 94 feet to sea level. The slope across the City is in a northeasterly direction from the high point in the southwest corner to the Bay. The average slope is approximately 0.9%.
g. Geographical and Topographical Summary. The stated local geological and topographical conditions increase the magnitude, exposure, accessibility problems and fire hazards presented to the Fire Department. Beneath the City of Santa Clara are thick layers of sand, gravel and clay, known as alluvium, which amplify the effects of earthquakes. Based on the damage caused in Santa Clara Valley by the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes and the poor performance of alluvial deposits during earthquakes, the City of Santa Clara areas could be subject to severe damage as a result of a major earthquake.

C. Related City Information:
a. Size and Population. The City of Santa Clara is the third largest city in Santa Clara County. The City occupies a total of 19.3 square miles and has a population of 127,647according to 2020 US census data. With the opening of the Levi’s Stadium in 2014 we have seen the transitory population increase to more than 200,000 during events.
b. Future Development. The City is in the process of developing several sites North of the Bayshore Freeway. OIn addition, over the next (sixth) cycle Housing Element, the Ccity’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is 11,632 units, and therefore the City anticipates increased development activity in all types of housing construction. Over the next 10-20 years the number of residential units could grow by as many as 25,000 units. The City continues to see a significant increase in the size, height and density of multi-family residential projects is also in the planning phase of two major Specific Plans that could see a significant increase in density, as well as much taller buildings over the next 20 yearsand we expects the trend to continue well into the future. c. Public Safety. The Santa Clara Fire Department (SCFD) operates nine in- service fire stations, with Station 10 currently being rebuilt and relocated. The department maintains a workforce of approximately 175.5 personnel, including 138 assigned to the Field Operations Division. The City holds a Class 2 Public For m at t ed: Not H ighlight
Protection Classification from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The City is expected to see increased demand based on the RHNA.

The Fire Department is comprised of 167 employees in ten stations located throughout the City. The City Fire Department Insurance Service Organization Classification (ISO Rating) is Class 2, with adjacent areas rated between Class 2 and Class 9.
d. Fire Prevention. The City's fire prevention and hazardous materials philosophy requires that fire detection and suppression occur as quickly as possible to minimize loss of life, property, and the environment. For these reasons, the most advanced fire detection, suppression, and hazardous materials alarms and mitigation measures (such as scrubbers) are required for most new development within the City.
e. Traffic. The number of vehicle miles driven in the City has steadily increased over the past decade. Considerable effort is being made to improve conditions impacting traffic in order to ease the crush of commuters through the City. Due to the City's high concentration of jobs, much of the peak traffic (about 75%) consists of nonresidents travelling to or through Santa Clara. The impact of current and future planned developments on traffic conditions will continue to affect the delivery of emergency services.
f. Industry. The City of Santa Clara is the site of more than 1,000 regulated manufacturing, and research and development companies. Special precautions are required to minimize the risk to adjoining properties which have recently seen the development of high-density housing around many of these facilities. g. Zoning. The City of Santa Clara recentlyis updatinged its Zoning Code., aligning it The City’s update will make the code consistent with state and federal law and the direction provided in the 2010–2035 General Plan. All property Commented [AH1]: Should the SCFD capacity tie to
increased demand
Commented [AH2R1]: Clarify if there is a link between
the need for additional local safety measures to anticipated development and limited staff capacity, or is the
requirement based on anticipated climate impacts
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and land uses in the City are governed by the City's General Plan. The Santa Clara General Plan is a road map to the future that encompasses the hopes, aspirations, values and dreams of the community. The time frame of the Plan is 2010-2035. The Plan contains the City’s official policies on land use and community design, transportation, housing, environmental resources and health and safety.
h. Proximity of Industrial and Residential Uses. High-density residential uses are located near high-risk industries, necessitating specialized fire protection, and hazardous materials regulations being implemented to ensure an adequate level of safety for life, property and the environment. i. Transportation. The City of Santa Clara is divided by an interstate highway, which could potentially negatively affect emergency response times during any nature disaster or significant event.
j. Buildings, Landscaping and Clearances. Many of the designs of the newer large buildings and building complexes greatly limit visibility, approach and accessibility by Public Safety resources. Many houses and other buildings with wood roofs and/or siding are so close together that fire can readily spread by both radiation and convection.
k. Water Supply. The City of Santa Clara supplies its own water for commercial and residential needs. Water services are provided to residents and businesses in the City of Santa Clara by the Water Utility. The Water System consists of approximately 30635 miles of water mains, 216 wells and 7 storage tanks with approximately 28.8 million gallons of water capacity. Sources available to the City include an extensive local underground aquifer and imported water supplies delivered by two wholesale water agencies: the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) and the San Francisco Hetch-Hetchy system.

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l. Electric Power. The City of Santa Clara operates its own electric utility company, Silicon Valley Power (SVP). SVP currently provides over 40 percent of Santa Clara’s electricity from carbon free renewable resources. In addition to using green energy from large-scale wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric projects outside of the area, SVP employs innovative ways to locally produce electricity by capturing and burning methane gas from a closed city landfill and using power from solar generating systems on city-owned garages and vacant, unusable land. SVP participates in new technologies such as fiber optic networks, citywide Wi-Fi, advanced metering, digital substation controls, fuel cells, and server virtualization, working to enhance the electric utility.

D. Specific Findings. In addition to changes justified on administrative grounds or by all of the general findings, several substantive sections are justified specifically, as set forth below.

2. 20252 California Building Code, Volume 1, Chapter 9, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, Section 903, Automatic Sprinkler Systems, Subsection 903.2.8.1, Group R-3. (Single family residences and duplexes; fire sprinklers.).

A. Text Change: Subsection 903.2.8.1, Group R-3, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Section 903.2.8.1:
“Section 903.2.8.1.1 Additions to Group R3, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems. An automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, shall be provided throughout existing buildings, when additions are made that increase the square footage of a building by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing buildings when new basements regardless of size are added or when existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.”
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B. General Finding: The weather, including high temperatures and winds, can significantly increase the chance that a structure fire can spread to neighboring properties. Automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven track record for containing fires and allowing for the control of fires by fewer firefighters than structures not protected by fire sprinklers.

C. Climatic Findings: The local climatic conditions in the City of Santa Clara can affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of fire in the community. Times of little or no rainfall, low humidity, and high temperatures create extremely hazardous fire conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires. The winds experienced in the City of Santa Clara area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires where buildings are in close proximity to one another, which is commonly found in the City of Santa Clara. During wood shake and shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can create a blowtorch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

1. Seismic Location. The City is situated on alluvial soils between San Francisco Bay and the San Andreas Fault zone. The City's location makes its taller and older structures particularly vulnerable to damage caused by significant seismic events. The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today. Seismically, the City sits between two active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Hayward/Calaveras) and other potentially active faults. According to the Association of Bay Area Governments, the City of Santa Clara is located in a very high-risk seismic zone.

2. Seismic Events. Fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. A large number of residential dwellings in the City of Santa Clara have combustible roofs which add significantly to the risk of structural fires after an earthquake. In the event of widespread catastrophic event, public safety service resources would be seriously impacted and maybe unavailable to effectively respond to all emergencies.

3. Other variables that increase the risk from fire after a major earthquake:
a. The extent of damage to the water system;
b. The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse;
c. The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways;
d. Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds); e. Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours; f. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance; g. The concentration of combustible structures (wood frame) in the residential, mercantile and light industry zones.

3. 20252 California Building Code, Volume 1, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1011, Stairways, Subsection 1011.1, General.

A. Text Change: Subsection 1011.1 General, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1011.1:
“Section 1011.1.1 Stairway Configuration. Stairways shafts which are part of a required means of egress and which are required to be fire rated enclosed on any side, shall be entirely vertical without horizontal offsets.”
B. General Findings: The risk of fire for a building is usually greatest during its construction phase. The intensity of a fire involving a building under construction is directly influenced by challenging weather conditions, including but not limited to high temperatures, and winds. Since a building under construction does not generally have active fire protection systems, it is essential to have identified and unobstructed means of egress for the occupants to evacuate the building in an emergency.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

4. 20252 California Building Code, Volume 1, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1016, Exit Access, Subsection 1016.1, General.

A. Text Change: Subsection 1016.1, General, is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1016.1:
“Section 1016.1.1 Exit Access Configuration. Exit Access in multi-story buildings which are part of the required means of egress from a stairway, and which are required to be fire rated, shall be routed to the exterior of the building or structure in the shortest configuration possible.”
B. General Findings: The risk of fire for a building is usually greatest during its construction phase. The intensity of a fire involving a building under construction is directly influenced by challenging weather conditions, including but not limited to high temperatures, and winds. Since a building under construction does not generally have active fire protection systems, it is essential to have identified and unobstructed means of egress for the occupants to evacuate the building in an emergency.

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C. Climatic Findings: The local climatic conditions in the City of Santa Clara can affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of fire in the community. Times of little or no rainfall, low humidity, and high temperatures create extremely hazardous fire conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires. The winds experienced in the City of Santa Clara area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires where buildings are in close proximity to one another, which is commonly found in the City of Santa Clara. During wood shake and shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can create a blowtorch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

5. 20252 California Building Code, Volume 1, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1022, Exits, Subsection 1022.1. (Interior Exit stairways and Ramps Configuration.) A. Text Change: Subsection 1022.1, General is hereby amended by adding the following text immediately following Subsection 1022.1: ` “Section 1022.1.1 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps Configuration. Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps in multi-story buildings which are part of the required means of egress, and which are required to be fire rated, shall be routed to the exterior of the building or structure in the shortest configuration possible.” B. General Findings: The risk of fire for a building is usually greatest during its construction phase. The intensity of a fire involving a building under construction is directly influenced by challenging weather conditions, including but not limited to high temperatures, and winds. Since a building under construction does not generally have active fire protection systems, it is essential to have identified and unobstructed means of egress for the occupants to evacuate the building in an emergency.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

6. 20252 California Building Code, Volume 2, Chapter 19, Concrete, Section 1905.6, Modifications to ACI 318, Use of Structural Plain Concrete. in Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F.

A. Text Change: Subsection 1905.6, Structural Plain Concrete Elements, ACI 318, Section 14.1.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:1905.1.7, ACI 318, Section 14.1.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“1905.6 Structural Plan Concrete. Structural plain concrete elements shall comply with this section in lieu of section 14.1.4 of ACI 318.
1905.6.1 - Left intentionally blank.
1905.6.2 - Seismic Design Categories C, D, E and F.

Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:
“1905.1.7 ACI 318 Section 14.1.4. Delete ACI 318, Section 14.1.4 and replace with the following:
“14.1.4 - Plain concrete in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F.

14.1.4.1- Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:

1. Left intentionally blank.

2. Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness.

3. Plain concrete footings supporting walls are permitted, provided the footings have at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4, with a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing. A minimum of one bar shall be provided at the top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.” B. General Finding: The weather, including high temperatures and winds, can significantly increase the chance that a structure fire can spread to neighboring properties. Automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven track record for containing fires and allowing for the control of fires by fewer firefighters than structures not protected by fire sprinklers.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

7. 20252 California Residential Code, Chapter 3, Building Planning, Section R30913, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Subsection R30913.1, Townhouse Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems.

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A. Text Change: Subsection R30913.1, Townhouse Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
“Section R30913.1. Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing townhouses, when additions are made that increase the buildings square footage by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet.

2. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed where the additions are 1,200 square feet or less and the building area will be 3,600 square feet or less.

3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing townhouses when all new basements regardless of size are added or when existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.”
B. General Finding: The weather, including high temperatures and winds, can significantly increase the chance that a structure fire can spread to neighboring properties. Automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven track record for containing fires and allowing for the control of fires by fewer firefighters than structures not protected by fire sprinklers.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

8. 20252 California Residential Code, Chapter 3, Building Planning, Section R30913, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Subsection R30913.2, One- and Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems.

A. Text Change: Section R30913.2, One- and Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, is hereby deleted and replaced with:
“Section R30913.2. One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings, including Accessory Dwelling Units, except as otherwise provided below.

1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing One- and Two- Family Dwellings, when additions are made that increase the One- and Two-Family Dwelling area by more than 1,200 square feet or the building total square footage will exceed 3,600 square feet. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential sprinkler system where the additions or alterations are 1,200 square feet or less and the building area will be 3,600 square feet or less. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout existing buildings when all new basements regardless of size are added and when existing basements are expanded by more than 50%.

2. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, provided that all of the following are met:

2.1. The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in the Government Code Section 65852.2.

2.2. The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers.

2.3. If the accessory dwelling unit is detached, it does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size.

2.4 The unit is on the same lot as the primary residence.” B. General Finding: The weather, including high temperatures and winds, can significantly increase the chance that a structure fire can spread to neighboring properties. Automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven track record for containing fires and allowing for the control of fires by fewer firefighters than structures not protected by fire sprinklers.

D. Geologic and Topographic Findings:

4. Effective date. This resolution shall become effective immediately.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE A TRUE COPY OF A RESOLUTION PASSED

AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF HELD ON THE ___ DAY OF _________, 20252, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: COUNCILORS:

NOES: COUNCILORS:

ABSENT: COUNCILORS:

ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS:

ATTEST: ______________________________

NORA PIMENTEL, MMC

ASSISTANT CITY CLERK

CITY OF SANTA CLARA

Attachments incorporated by reference: None

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 1 of 16

RESOLUTION NO. ____

AN RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA,

CALIFORNIA MAKING FINDINGS REQUIRED BY SECTIONS
17958.5 AND 18941.5 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND

SAFETY CODE JUSTYFING CERTAIN LOCAL MODIFICATIONS
TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE AND THE 2025

CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE TO

INCREASE BUILDING EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE

REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE

CHARGING STATIONS

WHEREAS, Santa Clara's Climate Action Plan, first adopted in 2013, includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and in 2022 was updated to further strengthen emissions reductions;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 17922, 17958, 17958.5 , 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, the City may adopt modifications to the p rovisions of the California Building Standards Code that are reasonably necessary to protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents of Santa Clara because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions;
WHEREAS, the City now intends to adopt the 202 5 Energy Code and the 2025 Green Building Standards Code with modifications to address local geological, topographical, and climatic conditions;
WHEREAS, the City must set forth the justifications for those local amendments.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:

1. Global Findings. That the City Council hereby makes the following findings with respect to local geological, topographical and climatic conditions relating to the modifications to the California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code:

A. Santa Clara is located in the Santa Clara Valley, which is densely populated and located in

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 2 of 16

an area of high seismic activities. Santa Clara is situated on alluvial soils between San Francisco Bay and the San Andreas Fault zone. The City's location makes it particularly vulnerable to damage by seismic events. The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today. Seismically, the City sits between two active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Hayward/Calaveras) and numerous potentially active faults.

B. Concern for fire-life safety associated with natural gas infrastructure located in the ground and in buildings increases with the risk of explosion or fire if there is a structural failure due to a seismic event considering the increasing number of buildings in the region.

C. Severe seismic events could disrupt communications, damage gas mains, and place extreme demands on the limited and widely dispersed resources of the Police and Fire Departments necessary for the life safety needs of the community.

D. The local geographic, topographic, and climatic conditions pose an increased hazard in acceleration, spread, magnitude, and severity of potential fires in the City, and may cause a delayed response from emergency responders, allowing further growth of the fire.

E. Over the next century, increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrates are expected to result in global temperature increases, causing a variety of local changes, including extreme weather conditions, sea level rise, more frequent heat waves and extended period of drought. Sea level rise as a result of climate change will have a dramatic local impact on the City. The City's northern area borders the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and is at an increased risk of flooding. Increased heat as a result of climate change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City's population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 3 of 16

emissions creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents.

F. The City Council is adopting concurrent a mendments to the California Building and Residential Codes based on specific findings of local geographic, topographic and climatic conditions; and the City Council hereby reaffirms such findings and confirms that the facts on which such findings were based apply to these modifications to the Energy and Green Building Standards Codes.

G. The provisions of this Ordinance establishing certain more restrictive standards than the California Codes will better serve to prevent or minimize structural and environmental damage resulting from local conditions.

2. That the City Council hereby makes the following additional findings with respect to cost effectiveness of any amendments to the California Codes for which such findings are required:

A. An August 1, 2019 Low Rise Residential Reach Code Cost Effectiveness Study prepared by Frontier Energy, Inc. and Misti Bruceri & Associates, LLC, funded by California utility ratepayers and submitted to the California Energy Commission, supports and documents the cost-effectiveness of the Ordinance.

B. A July 25, 2019 Non -residential New Construction Reach Code Cost Effectiveness Study prepared by TRC Advanced Energy and Energy Soft, funded by California utility ratepayers and submitted to the California Energy Commission, further supports and documents the cost-effectiveness of the Ordinance.

C. This Ordinance is in alignment with the cost effectiveness studies referenced above and therefore the City Council finds the proposed regulations to be cost-effective.

D. None of the provisions of this Ordinance change minimum effici ency standards, and

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 4 of 16

therefore, this Ordinance is not preempted by federal appliance regulations.

3. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction, and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10 (Mandatory Requirements for Solar-Readiness).

A. Text Changes:

1. The Title of 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction, and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10 (Mandatory Requirements for Solar-Readiness), is amended to read as follows:
“SECTION 110.10 - MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR READINESS

AND SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW NON-RESIDENTIAL AND MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS”

2. Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High-rise Multifamily Buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a)3 (Covered Occupancies-Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High-rise Multifamily Buildings) is amended to read as follows:

“3. Hotel/Motel Occupancies and High-rise Multifamily Buildings. Hotel/motel occupancies and high-rise multifamily buildings with ten habitable stories or fewer, that do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 110.10-A.”

3. Nonresidential Buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a)4 (Covered Occupancies - Nonresidential Buildings) is amended to read as follows: ·

“4. Nonresidential Buildings. Nonresidential buildings with three habitable stories or fewer, other than I-2 and I2.1 buildings that do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 110.10-A.”

4. Solar panel requirements for all new nonresidential and high-rise residential buildings. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies —Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(a) (Covered Occupancies) is

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 5 of 16

amended by adding the following table to the end of subsection (a):

Table 110.10-A: Solar panel requirements for all new nonresidential and high- rise residential buildings
Square footage of building Size of panel
Less than 10,000 sq. ft. Minimum of 3-kilowatt PV systems Greater than or equal to 10,000 sq.
ft.

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 6 of 16

5. Minimum solar area - exceptions. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)1B (Minimum Solar Zone Area -Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies and Nonresidential Buildings), Exception 2, is amended to read as follows:

“EXCEPTION 2 to Section 110.10(b)1B: High-rise multifamily buildings, hotel/motel occupancies with a permanently installed domestic solar water heating system complying with Section 150.1(c)8Biii and an additional collector area of 40 square feet.”

6. Minimum solar area - performance equivalency. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)1B (Minimum Solar Zone Area - Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies, and Nonresidential Buildings) is amended by adding the following new Exception 6 after Exception 5:

“EXCEPTION 6 to Section 110.10(b)1B: Performance
equivalency approved by the Building Official.”

7. Minimum solar area - shading. 2025 California Energy Code Subchapter 2, “All Occupancies—Mandatory Requirements for the Manufacture, Construction and Installation of Systems, Equipment and Building Components,” Section 110.10(b)3 (Minimum Solar Zone Area - Shading) is amended by adding the following after Paragraph B:

110.10(b)3C. The solar zone needs to account for shading from obstructions that may impact the area required in 110.10(b)1B. When determined by the Building Official that conditions exist where excessive shading occurs and solar zones cannot be met, a performance equivalency approved by the Building Official may be used as an alternative.

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 7 of 16

climate change will have a dramatic local impact on the City. The City's northern area borders the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and is at an increased risk of flooding. Increased heat as a result of climate change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City's population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents.

The proposed modifications will advance this objective by increasing the prevalence of solar energy, and thereby reducing the use of greenhouse gases.

4. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 1, Definitions, Section 202 (Definitions).

A. Text Changes: 2025 California Green Building Standards Code , Chapter 1 , Definitions Section 202 (Definitions) is amended by adding the following definitions:

“EV Capable: A parking space linked to a listed electrical panel with sufficient capacity to provide at least 110/120 volts and 20 amperes to the parking space. Raceways linking the electrical panel and parking space only need to be installed in spaces that will be inaccessible in the future, either trenched underground or where penetrations to walls, floors, or other partitions would otherwise be required for future installation of branch circuits. Raceways must be at least 1" in diameter and may be sized for multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code. The panel circuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) reserved for EV charging as "EV CAPABLE." Construction documents shall indicate future completion of raceway from the panel to the parking space, via the installed inaccessible raceways.

The parking space shall contain signage with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space indicating the space is designated as EV Capable for future connection of infrastructure at the designed voltage and amperage levels.

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 8 of 16

either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space, orb) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

Low Power Level 2 EV Ready Space:

A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with 208/240 volt, 20 ampere minimum branch circuit capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 15 amperes.

Level 3/Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC): A parking space that includes the installation of a charger with the capacity to provide at least 80 kW of output.

B. Climatic Findings: Over the next century, increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrates are expected to result in global temperature increases, causing a variety of local changes, including extreme weather conditions, sea level rise, more frequent heat waves and extended period of drought. Sea level rise as a result of climate change will have a dramatic local impact on the City. The City's northern area borders the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is particularly vulnerable to sea

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 9 of 16

level rise and is at an increased risk of flooding. Increased heat as a result of climate change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City's population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents.

The proposed modifications will advance this objective by increasing the availability of electric vehicle charging, and thereby reducing the use of greenhouse gases.

5. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 4, Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction)

A. Text Changes.

1. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction) is amended to read as follows:

“4.106.4. Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction. New construction shall comply with Sections 4.106.4.1 or 4.106.4.2 to facilitate future installation and use of EV chargers. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Article 625.

Exceptions:

As per the CalGreen code, the Chief Building Official will make determinations of exceptions.

1. On a case-by-case basis, where the local enforcing agency has determined EV charging and infrastructure are not feasible based upon one or more of the following conditions:

1.1 Where there is no local utility power supply or the local utility is unable to supply adequate power.

1.2 Where there is evidence suitable to the local enforcing agency substantiating that additional local utility infrastructure design requirements, directly related to the implementation of Section 4.106.4, may adversely impact the construction cost of the project.

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City Council October 21, 2025 Page 10 of 16

4. Spaces Accessible only by automated mechanical car parking systems are excepted from providing EV charging
infrastructure.”

2. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section

4.106.4.1 (New one and two-family dwellings and townhouses with attached private garages) is amended to read as follows:

“4.106.4.1 New one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

1. In private garages with two or more parking spaces, install one Level 2 EV Ready Space and one Level 1 EV Ready
Space.

2. For each dwelling unit with only one parking space, install a Level 2 EV Ready Space

Calculations for the required minimum number of EV Ready spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.”

3. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4.1.1 (Identification) is amended to read as follows:

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“4.106.4.1.1. Identification. The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "Level 2 EV-Ready".”

4. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4.2.2 (Multifamily dwellings.) is amended by adding the following text to the end of that section :

a. One parking space per dwelling unit with parking
shall be provided with a Level 2 EV Ready Space.

4. Multifamily buildings with 20 dwelling units or more and for the residential portion of mixed-use buildings with 20 dwelling units or more:

a. Provide one Level 2 EV Ready Space for each of the
first 20 dwelling units with parking space(s)
b. For all additional dwelling units above 20 with
parking space(s):
i. 25% of dwelling units with parking space(s) shall
be provided with at least one Level 2 EV Ready
Space
ii. 75% of dwelling units with parking spaces shall be
provided with at least one Low Power Level 2 EV
Ready Space

5. All multifamily residential developments shall include secured bicycle parking with110v electrical outlets.

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Construction plans and specifications shall demonstrate that all raceways shall be a minimum of 1" and sufficient for installation of Level 2 Ready Spaces and all required EV Capable spaces; Electrical calculations shall substantiate the design of the electrical system to include the rating of equipment and any on- site distribution transformers, and have sufficient capacity to simultaneously charge EVs at all required EV spaces including EV Capable spaces; and service panel or subpanel(s) shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate the required number of dedicated branch circuit(s) for the future installation of the EVSE.

Notes:

1. ALMS may be installed to decrease electrical service and transformer costs associated with EV Charging Equipment subject to review of the authority having jurisdiction.

2. Installation of Level 2 EV Ready Spaces above the minimum number required level may offset the minimum number Level 1 EV Ready Spaces required on a 1:1 basis.

3. The multifamily requirements apply to multifamily buildings with parking spaces including: a) assigned or leased to individual dwelling units, and b) unassigned residential parking.

4. In order to adhere to accessibility requirements in accordance with California Building Code Chapters 11A
and/or 11B, it is recommended that all accessible parking spaces for covered newly constructed multifamily
dwellings are provided with Level 1 or Level 2 EV Ready Spaces.”

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change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City's population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents.

The proposed modifications will advance this objective by increasing the availability of electric vehicle charging, and thereby reducing the use of greenhouse gases.

6. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging)

A. Text Changes.

1. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is amended by adding the following exception after exception 2:

2. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.1 (EV capable spaces) is amended to read as follows:

5.106.5.3.1. EV Capable Spaces

Nonresidential buildings (excluding hotels and motels) and nonresidential portions of mixed use buildings: EV capable spaces shall be provided as specified below and per the following requirements:

1. 35% of parking spaces shall be EV Capable.

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4. The electrical system and any on-site distribution transformers shall have sufficient capacity to supply full rated amperage at each capable space.

Calculations for the required minimum number of spaces shall all be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Construction plans and specifications shall demonstrate that all raceways shall be a minimum of 1" and sufficient for installation at all required EVCS; electrical calculations shall substantiate the design of the electrical system to include the rating of equipment and any on-site distribution transformers, and have sufficient capacity to simultaneously charge EVs at all required EVCS including EV Capable spaces; and service panel or subpanel(s) shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate the required number of dedicated branch circuit(s) for the future installation of the EVCS.

3. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.2 (Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) is amended to read as follows, but Sections 5.106.5.3.2.1 through 5.106.5.3.2.4.1 shall remain unchanged:

5.106.5.3.2. Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS)

1. An additional 35% of parking spaces shall be provided with EVCS.

2. Required EVCS may be provided in any combination of Level 2 and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC), except that at least one Level 2 EVSE shall be provided.

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Notes:

1. Calculations for the required minimum number of spaces equipped with EVCS shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

2. ALMS may be installed to increase the number of EV chargers or the amperage or voltage beyond the minimum requirements in this code.

The option does not allow for installing less electrical panel capacity than would be required without ALMS.

4. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.3 (Use of Automatic Load Management System (ALMS)) is amended to read as follows:
“5.106.5.3.3. Use of Automatic Load Management Systems (ALMS) ALMS shall be permitted for EVCS. When ALMS is installed, the required electrical load capacity specified in Section 5.106.5.3.1 and Section 5.106.5.3.2 for each EVCS may be reduced when serviced by an EVSE controlled by an ALMS. Each EVSE controlled by an ALMS shall deliver a minimum 30 amperes to an EV when charging one vehicle and shall deliver a minimum 3.3 kW while simultaneously charging multiple EVs.”

5. 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.5 (Electric vehicle charging station signage.) is amended by adding the following text immediately following Section 5.106.5.3.5 :

5.106.5.3.5.1 Raceway Identification. The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "EV Ready".

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more frequent heat waves and extended period of drought. Sea level rise as a result of climate change will have a dramatic local impact on the City. The City's northern area borders the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and is at an increased risk of flooding. Increased heat as a result of climate change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City's population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents.

The proposed modifications will advance this objective by increasing the availability of electric vehicle charging, and thereby reducing the use of greenhouse gases.

7. Effective date. This resolution shall become effective immediately.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE A TRUE COPY OF A RESOLUTION

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF HELD ON THE ___ DAY OF _________, 2025, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: COUNCILORS:

NOES: COUNCILORS:

ABSENT: COUNCILORS:

ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS:

ATTEST: ______________________________

NORA PIMENTEL, MMC

ASSISTANT CITY CLERK

CITY OF SANTA CLARA

Attachments incorporated by reference: None

Comparison Table
2022 Reach Code, 2025 CalGreen Code, and Proposed Updated 2025 Reach Code

Electrical Vehicle (EV) Requirements

The following chart details, in broad strokes, the distinctions between the EV Parking Requirements of the City’s current Reach Code (the “2022 Reach Code”) and the requirements of the 2025 Green Building Standards Code (“CALGreen”), and identifies which standard is included in the proposed 2025 Reach Code. Below the chart are descriptions of the abbreviations used.

Category 2022 Reach Code 2025 CALGreen 2025 Reach Code
Multi-
Family,
< 20 Units
Each unit w/ parking: 1 Level
2 EV Ready (40 amp)
Each unit w/ parking: 1 Low
Power EV Ready (20 amp)
Unassigned spaces:
1 Low Power EV Ready per
unit
Continues City’s
2022 standard
Multi-
Family,
≥ 20 Units
First 20 units: see above
25% of addt’l units: 1 Level 2
EV Ready
75% of addt’l units: 1 Low
Power EV Ready
Each unit with parking: 1 Low
Power EV Ready space
Unassigned spaces:
1 Low Power EV Ready space
per unit
Continues City’s
2022 standard
Affordable
Housing
10% of units with parking: 1
Level 2 EV Ready space
(240V/40 amp)
90% of units with parking:
1 Level 1 EV Ready space
(120V/20 amp)
(Same requirements as market
rate housing)
Continues City’s
2022 standard
Hotels and
Motels
10% of spaces LV2 EVCS
50% of spaces LV2 Capable
65% of EV charging spaces =
40% LP L2 receptacles +
25% Level 2 EVSE
Adopts 2025
CALGreen
standard
Office and
Retail
35% of spaces LV2 EVCS
35% of spaces LV2 capable
15% of spaces EVCS
5% of spaces EV Capable
Continues City’s
2022 standard
Other Non-
Residential
Uses
35% of spaces LV2 EVCS
35% of spaces LV2 capable
10% of spaces EVCS
10% of spaces EV capable
Continues City’s
2022 standard

EV Abbreviations and Descriptions
(Definitions are referenced in Attachment #3 - Resolution)

LV2 Capable – Level 2 EV Capable
An EV Capable stall requires just the infrastructure (conduit, breaker space, junction box, etc.) for the future installation of an EV charging station.

Level 1 EV Ready – Level 1 Electric Vehicle Ready
Parking space served with 110/120 volt outlet with 20-ampere capacity (compatible with house outlets). No charger installed. Can provide a slower charge, ideal for longer charge times.

Low Power Level 2 EV Ready – Low Power Electric Vehicle Ready Parking space served with 220/240V outlet with 20 ampere minimum capacity. No charger installed. Faster than Level 1 EV Ready space.

Level 2 EV Charging Ready/Level 2 EV Ready – Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Ready Parking space served with 220/240 volt outlet with 40 ampere minimum capacity. No charger installed. Faster than Level 1 EV Ready and Low Power Level 2 EV Ready spaces.

LP L2 receptacles – Low Power Level 2 Receptacles
An electrical outlet (220/240 volt with 20 ampere minimum capacity) that supplies power to a Low Power Level 2 EV charging system.

Level 2 EVSE – Level 2 Electric Vehicle Service Equipment Includes charger, connectors, cables, and control systems with a minimum capacity of 30 amperes connected to a circuit serving a Level 2 EV Ready Space (220/240V outlet).

LV2 EVCS – Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station
A parking space that includes installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum capacity of 30 amperes connected to a circuit serving a Level 2 EV Ready Space (220/240 outlet)

Photovoltaic (PV) Requirements

The next table highlights the distinctions between the Photovoltaic (PV) panel requirements of the 2022 Reach Code and the 2025 California Energy Code, and clarifies which standard is included in the proposed 2025 Reach Code.

Category
2022
Reach
Code
2025
Energy
Code
2025
Reach
Code
Single
Family &
Duplex
No
requirement
PV systems
required for
new
construction
Adopts
2025
Energy
Code
standard
Multifamily,
low rise
No
requirement
PV systems
required for
new
construction
Adopts
2025
Energy
Code
standard
Multifamily,
hi rise
< 10K sf: 3
kWDC
system
required
≥ 10K sf: 5
kWDC
system
required
PV systems
required;
PV capacity
factor 2.21
Retains
2022
Reach
Code
standard
Hotels and
motels
No
requirement
PV systems
required for
new
construction
Adopts
2025
Energy
Code
standard
Non-
residential
< 10K sf: 3
kWDC
system
required
≥ 10K sf: 5
kWDC
system
required
PV systems
required;
PV capacity
varies
based on
type of
building
Retains
2022
Reach
Code
standard

Note that for both of the above tables, there are exceptions and nuances to these requirements that the tables do not describe.

City of Santa Clara
Agenda Report
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
santaclaraca.gov
@SantaClaraCity
25-910 Agenda Date: 10/21/2025

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SUBJECT
Public Hearing: Action to Accept the 2025 Report on the City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals

BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the California Safe Drinking Water Act (Health and Safety Code Section 116470), the city is required to prepare a Public Health Goals (PHG) Report on water quality every three years. Since 1998, the city has complied with this requirement. The city must hold a public hearing to accept the 2025 Report on the City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals (2025 PHG Report) and to respond to any public comments. The City continues to comply with all health-based drinking water standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Division of Drinking Water-State Water Resources Control Board (DDW).

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), has established PHGs for over 100 drinking water constituents. PHGs are set at levels where no known or expected adverse health effects occur, with an added margin of safety. The attached report covers the constituents with an OEHHA-established PHG. If OEHHA has not set a PHG for a regulated contaminant, the report uses the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) from the USEPA.

Both PHGs and MCLGs are public health goals only. They are not enforceable standards, and water systems are not required to meet them. In contrast, Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are enforceable drinking water standards established by the USEPA and the DDW. While PHGs and MCLGs are based solely on health considerations, they also consider factors such as laboratory detection capabilities, available treatment technology, benefits, and costs.

DISCUSSION
The city has used drinking water quality data collected from 2022 through 2024 to prepare the 2025 PHG Report. Regulations require a public report whenever a PHG or MCLG is exceeded. Analytical evidence from the City of Santa Clara’s Water Utility shows that Arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and perchlorate exceeded their respective PHG or MCLG. The attached 2025 PHG Report addresses these three constituents.

The analytical data used for this report have been shared with customers in the City’s annual Consumer Confidence Report. This report was mailed to all utility billing customers. Table 1 shows the monitoring results of the three contaminants that exceed the applicable PHGs during the reporting period. shows.

Table 1. Contaminants Detected above PHGs
Constituent MCL (ppb) PHG (ppb) DLR (ppb) City’s Results (ppb)
Arsenic 10 0.004 2 ND - 2.2
Hexavalent
Chromium
10 0.02 0.1 ND - 4.3
Perchlorate 6 1 1 ND - 1.1
City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 1 of 3
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25-910 Agenda Date: 10/21/2025
Constituent MCL (ppb) PHG (ppb) DLR (ppb) City’s Results (ppb)
Arsenic 10 0.004 2 ND - 2.2
Hexavalent
Chromium
10 0.02 0.1 ND - 4.3
Perchlorate 6 1 1 ND - 1.1
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
PHG = Public Health Goal
DLR = Detection Level for Reporting
ND = Not Detectable
ppb = parts per billion
Arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and perchlorate were detected at levels exceeding their respective Public Health Goal (PHG) levels. However, the concentrations were very low and well below the enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which are legal limits set for drinking water safety. This means the City’s drinking water supply continues to meet all DDW and USEPA standards designed to protect public health.

Additional treatment processes that might further reduce these constituents are of uncertain effectiveness. They may not deliver measurable health benefits and could produce toxic by-products that require costly disposal. Therefore, no additional actions are proposed at this time.

This agenda item meets the City’s obligation under Health and Safety Code Section 116470, which requires a brief written report in plain language if one or more PHGs are exceeded and a public hearing to accept and respond to public comments on the 2025 PHG Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the city, other than administrative staff time and expense to produce the 2025 PHG Report.

COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.

PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email [email protected] or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.

City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 2 of 3
powered by Legistar™
25-910 Agenda Date: 10/21/2025
Public Notice of the October 21, 2025, Council hearing published in the Santa Clara Weekly, a newspaper of general circulation.

RECOMMENDATION
Accept the 2025 Report on the City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals.

Reviewed by: John Ramirez, Director, Water & Sewer Utilities Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager

ATTACHMENTS

1. 2025 Report on the City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals City of Santa Clara Printed on 10/17/2025Page 3 of 3
powered by Legistar™

City of Santa Clara I 2025 Public Health Goals Report

2025 Report on Water
Quality Relative to Public
Health Goals (2025 Public
Health Goals Report)
City of Santa Clara Water and Sewer Utilities

for Compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 116470(b)

City of Santa Clara II 2025 Public Health Goals Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 3 MCLs, PHGs, and MCLGs Defined: ................................................................................................... 4 City of Santa Clara’s Water Quality Data: ........................................................................................ 5

2. CONSTITUENTS DETECTED THAT EXCEED A PHG OR MCLG: ....................... 5 Arsenic 5
Hexavalent Chromium ..................................................................................................................... 7 Perchlorate ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Recommendations for Further Actions: .......................................................................................... 9 ATTACHMENT 1 ......................................................................................................................... 10 MCLs, DLRs, and PHGs ................................................................................................................... 10 ATTACHMENT 2 ......................................................................................................................... 11 California Health and Safety Code ................................................................................................. 11 ATTACHMENT 3 ......................................................................................................................... 12 City of Santa Clara Consumer Confidence Reports ........................................................................ 12

City of Santa Clara 3 2025 Public Health Goals Report

1. BACKGROUND
The California Health and Safety Code Section 116470(b) specifies that water utilities serving more than 10,000 connections prepare a brief written report every three years that documents detections of any constituents that exceed a Public Health Goal (PHG) in the preceding three years. PHGs are non-enforceable goals established by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The law also requires that where OEHHA has not adopted a PHG for a constituent, the water suppliers are to use the Maximum Cont aminant Level Goal s (MCLGs) adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Only constituents that have both a California primary drinking water standard and a PHG or MCLG as of December 31, 2024, are to be addressed in the report.

The City of Santa Clara last completed its PHG Report in 2022. PHGs are established goals by the OEHHA to protect public health. When OEHHA has not adopted a PHG for a particular constituent, the Safe Drinking Water Act directs water suppliers to use the MCLGs previously adopted by the USEPA, if available. PHGs and MCLGs are non- enforceable goals.

This 2025 PHG Report addresses constituents that:
• Have a California primary drinking water standard, or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), and
• For which either a PHG or MCLG has been established and exceeded in Santa Clara’s water quality monitoring data.

Pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act, this report lists all constituents detected in the City's water supply from 2022 through 2024 at levels exceeding an applicable PHG or MCLG. The following are included:
• The numerical public health risk associated with the MCL and PHG or MCLG • The category or type of risk to health that could be associated with each constituent,
• The best treatment technology available that could be used to reduce the constituent level, and
• An estimate of the cost to install that treatment if it is appropriate and feasible The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) formed a workgroup that prepared a guidance for water utilities to prepare required PHG reports. The 2025 ACWA guidance was used in the preparation of this report. No guidance was available from state regulatory agencies.

City of Santa Clara 4 2025 Public Health Goals Report
MCLs, PHGs, MCLGs, and DLRs Defined:

The
USEPA and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) establish MCLs at very conservative levels to provide protection to consumers against all risks, excluding those of very low to negligible risk. In other words, MCLs are the regulatory definition of what is “safe” for drinking water.

MCLs are legal limits for substances in drinking water. They are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E PA) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). These limits are designed to protect people from all but very tiny risks while still being practical for water systems to meet.

There are also “health-based goals” called PHGs and MCLGs. PHGs are set by the California
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), and MCLGs are set by the USEPA. These goals describe the level of a substance in drinking water where scientists expect no health effects, even over a lifetime. Determining health risks at these low levels is often theoretical, not possible in real-world conditions, and based on multiple
assumptions.

Because PHGs and MCLGs are based only on theoretical health risk, they are often set much lower than MCLs. Sometimes PHGs and MCLGs are set so low that today’s testing equipment cannot even measure them, or they m ay be set at zero, which is not possible to reach in real-world conditions.

DLRs
stands for detection limits for the purposes of reporting and are set by the SWRCB
. They are the minimum level a substance can be detected in drinking water.

Based on the current laboratory technology available now, it would not be possible to detect substances below the DLR. Meeting DLRs means that SWRCB can be the confident about the accuracy of the substances’ quantity reported by the analytical lab
. The DLR is typically set equal to or below MCLs but is often above the contaminant public health goal (PHGs). Currently, 92 existing MCLs have 49 DLRs set above their corresponding PHGs.

Unlike
MCLs, PHGs and MCLGs are not enforceable by law. They do not take into account practical factors such as how easily a substance can be detected, what treatment methods exist, or how much those treatments cost. MCLs, on the other hand,
balance health protection with what is technically and financially achievable for water systems.

City
of Santa Clara’s Water Quality Data:

The City of Santa Clara’s Water Utility collected water quality data from 2022 through 2024
to check compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. These results
were used in preparing this report.

We also share this information every year in our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

The CCR is mailed in June to all customers who receive a utility bill. It summarizes water
quality data collected from January through December of the previous year and is printed as a newspaper-style publication for easy reading.

City of Santa Clara 5 2025 Public Health Goals Report
Best Available Treatment (BAT) Technology and Cost Estimates:

Both the USEPA and SWRCB identify Best Available Technologies (BATs). These are the most effective methods for reducing contaminants in drinking water, so they meet the legal standards, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

However, no agency has developed BATs that can reliably remove substances to the extremely low levels set by PHGs or MCLGs. In many cases, technology to reach those goals does not exist.

Estimating the cost of treatment at such very low levels is also highly uncertain. Any figures would be mostly theoretical and may not justify spending significant public funds or staff time. In addition, trying to further reduce one substance to extremely low amounts could unintentionally affect other parts of water quality.

2. CONSTITUENTS DETECTED THAT EXCEED
A PHG OR MCLG:

The City detected arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and perchlorate in the distribution system, or source water for the distribution system, at levels above the applicable PHG or MCLG. This report includes any PHG or MCLG that was exceeded in one or more of our drinking water sources.

Arsenic
Arsenic is a substance that occurs naturally in rocks and soil, but it can also get into water from industrial runoff. It is considered a carcinogen (a substance that can increase the risk of cancer).

The PHG for arsenic, set by the OEHHA, is 0.004 parts per billion (ppb). This level is so low that today’s testing equipment cannot detect it. The current detection limit is at or above 2.0 ppb.

The MCL, which is the enforceable standard set by the USEPA and the SWRCB, is 10.0 ppb. Drinking water at the PHG level for a lifetime is estimated to carry a cancer risk of about 1 in 1,000,000, while drinking water at the arsenic MCL level carries an estimated risk of about 2.5 in 1,000 (or 5 in 2,000).

All the City of Santa Clara’s water sources meet the arsenic MCL, meaning our water complies with state and federal safety standards, and there are no harmful effects to residents.

City of Santa Clara 6 2025 Public Health Goals Report
Table 1: Summary of Arsenic Detected
2022 to 2024 Arsenic Results
Range of Results (ppb) MCL (ppb) PHG (ppb)
ND – 2.2 10 0.004
There are several treatment methods that can help remove arsenic from drinking water.

The most common options include blending, granular ferric oxide (GFO) adsorption, coagulation and filtration, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis (RO).

To look at potential costs, this report used RO as an example, based on cost estimates in dollars per 1,000 gallons treated (($/1,000 gal. treated) from ACWA guidance. RO is often chosen because it is also identified as the Best Available Technology (BAT) for several other inorganic chemicals, meaning it can treat more than one substance at the same time.

Reverse osmosis is a highly effective and widely used treatment method for both drinking water and wastewater. It works by pushing water through a special membrane under high pressure. The membrane lets water molecules pass through but holds back other substances. This process produces two streams: clean treated water and a smaller amount of concentrated wastewater that contains the removed contaminants.

Table 2: Summary of Arsenic Treatment Cost
Arsenic Treatment Cost
Price ($/1,000 gallons treated) * Total Estimated
Cost ($ in Millions)
Risk From No
Treatment
$2.46 - $8.99 $8.5 to $31.2 No Risk
*2025 ACWA Guidance
Using RO to remove arsenic also produces wastewater and byproducts that must be handled safely, which adds to the overall cost. Even though RO is considered the BAT for meeting the legal limit MCL, it may not be able to reach the much lower PHG for arsenic.

Another challenge is that today’s laboratory methods cannot measure arsenic at concentrations as tiny as the PHG. This means that, even if treatment could reduce levels that far, there would be no way to confirm that the PHG had been met.

Costs would also increase because each of the City’s 20 groundwater wells would need its own treatment unit. Installing and maintaining many small units is usually more expensive than using one large unit at a central location.

Because Santa Clara’s drinking water already meets both state and federal standards for arsenic, there are currently no plans to install additional treatment systems. Results

City of Santa Clara 7 2025 Public Health Goals Report
for arsenic are provided in the water quality tables published in the City’s 2022, 2023, and 2024 CCRs as documentation of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent chromium can enter drinking water when it leaches from natural deposits in rocks and soil. Because it may increase the risk of cancer, OEHHA set a PHG for hexavalent chromium at 0.02 parts per billion (ppb). At that level, the estimated lifetime cancer risk is about one in one million.

The enforceable MCL standard was set by the SWRCB on October 1, 2024, at 10 ppb.

Drinking water at the MCL level carries a slightly higher estimated lifetime cancer risk of about five in ten thousand.

The PHG is far below today’s laboratory detection limit of 0.1 ppb, which means it cannot currently be measured. All of Santa Clara’s water sources meet the state MCL for hexavalent chromium and are in compliance with drinking water standards, and there are no harmful effects to residents.

Table 3: Summary of Hexavalent Chromium Detected
2022 to 2024 Hexavalent Chromium
Range of Results (ppb) MCL (ppb) PHG (ppb)
ND – 4.3 10 0.02
The identified BAT methods to remove hexavalent chromium from drinking water, have been identified by experts. The main method is the reduction, coagulation, and filtration treatment process. This treatment technology has been tested and shown to lower hexavalent chromium to about 1 ppb or less.

Cost estimates for the reduction, coagulation, and filtration treatment process come from the 2025 ACWA guidelines, which provide typical costs per 1,000 gallons of water treated.

Table 4: Summary of Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Cost
Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Cost
Price ($/1,000 gallons treated)* Total Estimated
Cost ($ in Millions)
Risk From No
Treatment
$2.14 - $13.38 $7.4 to $46.5 No Risk
*2025 ACWA Guidance

City of Santa Clara 8 2025 Public Health Goals Report
While the reduction, coagulation, and filtration treatment process can remove hexavalent chromium from drinking water, it comes with several challenges. This process creates toxic byproducts that must be handled and disposed of safely, which increases operating costs.

Even though this method can greatly lower hexavalent chromium levels, it cannot meet the very low PHG of 0.02 ppb. Current laboratory technology also cannot measure such tiny amounts, making it impossible to confirm PHG compliance.

Because Santa Clara’s water already meets both state and federal standards for hexavalent chromium, the City has no plans to install additional treatment. Test results are included in the water quality tables published in the City’s 2022, 2023, and 2024 CCRs as proof of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Perchlorate
Perchlorate can get into water from certain industrial activities, such as making rocket fuel, propellants, and explosives. Some of this contamination comes from historical aerospace or similar operations.

The PHG for perchlorate, set by OEHHA, is 1 ppb. This goal is based on perchlorate’s ability to interfere with normal thyroid function, which helps regulate hormones.

Disruption of thyroid activity can affect growth and brain development, especially in fetuses and infants.

The enforceable MCL standard is 6 ppb. All of Santa Clara’s water sources are well below this limit and fully comply with state and federal standards for perchlorate, and there are no harmful effects to residents.

Table 5: Summary of Perchlorate Detected
2022 to 2024 Perchlorate Results
Range of Results (ppb) MCL (ppb) PHG (ppb)
ND – 1.1 6 1
The identified BAT methods for removing Perchlorate from drinking water include ion exchange (IX) and fluidized bed reactors (FBR). Ion exchange is one of the most used and cost-effective methods for perchlorate removal, shown in Table 6.

City of Santa Clara 9 2025 Public Health Goals Report
Table 6: Summary of Perchlorate Treatment Cost
Perchlorate Treatment Cost
Price ($/1,000 gallons treated)* Total Estimated Cost
($ in Millions)
Risk From No
Treatment
$0.67 - $1.47 $2.3 to $5.1 No Risk
*2025 ACWA Guidance
Ion exchange is an effective way to lower perchlorate levels in drinking water. However, this process creates waste that must be handled and disposed of according to environmental regulations, which adds extra steps and cost to treatment. Over time, the resin used in ion exchange can lose efficiency, meaning it may not always reduce perchlorate to the very low PHG of 1 ppb.

Because Santa Clara’s water already meets both state and federal standards for perchlorate, the City has no plans to install additional treatment. Test results for perchlorate are shown in the water quality tables in the City’s 2024 CCR as proof of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Please note: the state’s Detection Limit for Reporting (DLR) for perchlorate changed from 2 ppb to 1 ppb on January 1, 2024. For this reason, perchlorate detections were not listed in the 2022 or 2023 CCRs, but they are included in the 2024 report.

Recommendations for Further Actions:

The City of Santa Clara’s drinking water meets all state and federal standards set by the SWRCB and the USEPA. These standards are designed to protect public health.

Reducing the levels of the substances identified in this report even further below what the state already considers “safe drinking water” would require very expensive treatment systems. In many cases, the technology may not be able to reach the extremely low levels set by PHGs or MCLGs or even confirm that those levels had been achieved.

The cost of installing and operating these treatments would be passed on to customers, with little or no additional health benefit. The water is well within the limits that ensure it is safe to drink, and further reductions would provide only minimal, if any, measurable improvement.

Because of these factors, the City is not proposing any new treatment at this time.

Santa Clara will continue to monitor water quality and ensure that all drinking water standards set to protect public health are consistently met.

City of Santa Clara 10 2025 Public Health Goals Report
ATTACHMENT 1
MCLs, DLRs, and PHGs
Table 7: Summary of Arsenic

Constituent MCL DLR PHG
Arsenic 10 ppb 2 ppb 0.004 ppb
Table 8: Summary of Hexavalent Chromium

Constituent MCL DLR PHG
Hexavalent
Chromium 10 ppb 0.1 ppb 0.02 ppb
Table 9: Summary of Perchlorate

Constituent MCL DLR PHG
Perchlorate 6 ppb 1 ppb 1 ppb
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
DLR = Detection Limit for the Purpose of Reporting
PHG = Public Health Goal
ppb = parts per billion
Source: California State Water Resources Control Board: Comparison of MCLs and PHGs for Regulated Contaminants in Drinking Water
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/MCLsandPHGs.ht ml
Last Update: August 20, 2024

City of Santa Clara 11 2025 Public Health Goals Report
ATTACHMENT 2
California Health and Safety Code
Section §116470. Public Health Goal Report
(b) On or before July 1, 1998, and every three years thereafter, public water systems serving more than 10,000 service connections that detect one or more contaminants in drinking water that exceed the applicable public health goal, shall prepare a brief written report in plain language that does all of the following:
(1) Identifies each contaminant detected in drinking water that exceeds the applicable public health goal.
(2) Discloses the numerical public health risk, determined by the office, associated with the maximum contaminant level for each contaminant identified in paragraph (1) and the numerical public health risk determined by the office associated with the public health goal for that contaminant.
(3) Identifies the category of risk to public health, including, but not limited to, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and acute toxicity, associated with exposure to the contaminant in drinking water, and includes a brief plainly worded description of these terms.
(4) Describes the best available technology, if any is then available on a commercial basis, to remove the contaminant or reduce the concentration of the contaminant.

The public water system may, solely at its own discretion, briefly describe actions that have been taken on its own, or by other entities, to prevent the introduction of the contaminant into drinking water supplies.
(5) Estimates the aggregate cost and the cost per customer of utilizing the technology described in paragraph (4), if any, to reduce the concentration of that contaminant in drinking water to a level at or below the public health goal. (6) Briefly describes what action, if any, the local water purveyor intends to take to reduce the concentration of the contaminant in public drinking water supplies and the basis for that decision.

City of Santa Clara 12 2025 Public Health Goals Report
ATTACHMENT 3
City of Santa Clara Consumer Confidence Reports:
• Consumer Confidence Report 2022
• Consumer Confidence Report 2023
• Consumer Confidence Report 2024

Each year we publish our annual water quality report known as the Consumer Confidence Report (report). It contains the latest water quality monitoring results obtained through the end of calendar year 2022. It answers some of the most common water quality questions asked by our customers. We hope it will provide the facts and perspectives you need to make an informed evaluation of your tap water.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State
Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and State
regulations. Although the water you receive is tested for over 100 potential contaminants and 48 other parameters, most of the potential contaminants are never detected. To simplify the report, only the constituents that were detected in at least one water source appear in the water quality table. We are also required by the State to provide additional information about certain constituents that appear on the water quality table even though the water meets all applicable drinking water standards. The State allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because
the concentrations of these contaminants do not change
frequently. Due to regulatory monitoring schedules, some data, though representative, are more than one year old.

Report
Contains Water
Quality Monitoring
Results
Published June 2023
The City of Santa Clara is committed to
providing our customers with a safe and
reliable supply of high-quality drinking
water.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.

Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

INFORMATION

AND GUIDANCE

FOR PEOPLE WITH

COMPROMISED
IMMUNE SYSTEMS:
2022
Water
Quality
Consumer
Confidence
Report
Drinking Water Must Meet Standards
The quality of drinking water is carefully regulated by the Federal Government. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring the USEPA to establish uniform standards for drinking water. The Safe Drinking Water Act was further amended in 1986 and 1996, adding even more stringent standards. In California, these standards are enforced by State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DRINKING WATER STANDARDS

PRIMARY STANDARDS are designed to protect public health.

These standards specify the limits, called "Maximum Contaminant Levels" (MCLs) for substances in water that may be harmful to humans or affect their health if consumed in large quantities.

SECONDARY STANDARDS are based on aesthetic qualities of water such as color, taste and odor. These standards specify limits for substances that may affect consumer acceptance of the water.

Both Primary and Secondary Standards are listed in
this report.

It is important to the City of Santa Clara that you, the water consumer, have current and factual information about your water supply. In this latest issue of our report, we hope to further your understanding and strengthen your confidence in the quality and integrity of the water supplied to you by the City of Santa Clara.

We take great pride in delivering the safest and highest quality water available.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can share access to the report at SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQualityReport and post in a public place or distribute paper copies by hand or mail. Paper copies of the report are available for free at City Hall, City Libraries and the Senior Center, or by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 408- 615-2000 to request a paper copy.

Source Water Information
The City of Santa Clara has three separate
sources of drinking water. These sources
are used interchangeably or are blended
together. Altogether these sources
provide an average of 15 million gallons of
water per day to the homes, businesses,
industries and institutions of Santa Clara.

In 2022, about 39% of our water was
treated surface water purchased from the
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley
Water), imported from the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta, and from the San Francisco
Public Utility Commission’s (SFPUC) Hetch-
Hetchy Reservoir, imported from the Sierra
Nevada Mountains.

Water purchased from Valley Water
serves primarily the southwesterly
portion of the City. SFPUC Hetch-Hetchy
water typically serves the area north
of Highway 101. The remaining 61% is
pumped from the City’s system of 19
active wells serving the rest of Santa
Clara. The map shows the general areas
served by the different water sources.

CITY WELLS
The majority of water consumed in the
City of Santa Clara is pumped from the
City’s system of deep wells. Well water
is pulled up from groundwater (water
that is located in aquifers which are
waterfilled spaces between sand, gravel,
and silt deep in the ground). Aquifers are
replenished by rainwater that infiltrates
down from the land surface.

HETCH HETCHY SYSTEM
The City purchases water from the Hetch
Hetchy Reservoir. To meet drinking water
standards for consumption, all surface
water supplies including the upcountry
non-Hetch Hetchy sources (UNHHS)
undergo treatment by the San Francisco
Regional Water System (SFRWS) before
it is delivered. Water from Hetch Hetchy
Reservoir is exempt from federal and
state filtration requirements but receives
the following treatment: disinfection using
ultraviolet light and chlorine, pH adjustment
for optimum corrosion control, fluoridation for
dental health protection, and chloramination
for maintaining disinfectant residual and
minimizing the formation of regulated
disinfection byproducts. Water from local Bay
Area reservoirs in Alameda County and UNHHS
is delivered to Sunol Valley Water Treatment
Plant (SVWTP); whereas water from local
reservoirs in San Mateo County is delivered to
Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant (HTWTP).

Water treatment at these plants consist of
filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, optimum
corrosion control, and taste and odor removal.

The SFRWS conducts watershed sanitary
surveys for the Hetch Hetchy source annually
and for non-Hetch Hetchy surface water
sources every five years. The latest sanitary
surveys for the non-Hetch Hetchy watersheds
were completed in 2021 for the period of
2016-2020. All these surveys, together with
SFRWS’s stringent watershed protection
management activities, were completed with
support from partner agencies including
National Park Service and US Forest Service.

The purposes of the surveys are to evaluate
the sanitary conditions and water quality
of the watersheds and to review results of
watershed management activities conducted
in the preceding years. Wildfire, wildlife,
livestock, and human activities continue to be
the potential contamination sources. You may
contact the San Francisco District office of the
State Water Resources Control Board’s Division
of Drinking Water (SWRCB) at 510-620-3474
for the review of these reports.

VALLEY WATER
Valley Water provides treated surface water to
local municipalities and private water retailers
who deliver the water directly to homes and
businesses in Santa Clara County. Valley Water’s
surface water is mainly imported from the
South Bay Aqueduct, Dyer Reservoir, Lake Del
Valle, and San Luis Reservoir, which all draw
water from the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta
watershed. Calero Reservoir is Valley Water’s
local water source. Water from imported and
local sources is pumped to and treated at
three water treatment plants located in Santa
Clara County.

Currently, Valley Water is unable to utilize
Anderson Dam for local water storage due
to the rehabilitation of Anderson Dam, and
the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project
which will improve public safety and restore
operational capacity. This project will take 10
years to complete.

Valley Water’s source waters are vulnerable
to potential contamination from a variety of
land use practices, such as agricultural and
urban runoff, recreational activities, livestock
grazing, and residential and industrial
development. The imported sources are
also vulnerable to wastewater treatment
plant discharges, seawater intrusion, and
wildfires in open space areas. In addition,
local sources are also vulnerable to potential
contamination from commercial stables and
historic mining practices. No contaminant
associated with any of these activities has
been detected in Valley Water’s treated water.

The water treatment plants provide multiple
barriers for physical removal of contaminants
and disinfection of pathogens. For more
information, visit Valley Water’s website at
www.valleywater.org.

WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
In an effort to continually maintain a high level
of service and supply quality potable water to
our customers, the City embarked on several
capital improvement projects to our water
system. In March 2022, three water tanks
were rehabilitated with seismic and safety
upgrades, recoated interior and exterior of the
tanks and added cathodic protection and tank
mixers. These tanks store 13.2 million gallons
of water, enough water to meet the entire
City’s demand for one average spring day.

Additionally, the City performs the design and
construction of water main replacements and
rehabilitation of ground water wells.

City of Santa Clara, California
0 1/ 2 1
Blend of SFPUC
Hetch Hetchy
System and
Groundwater
a Blend of Valley
Water Treated
Surface Water and
Groundwater
cCity of Santa Clara
Groundwater
b

THE CITY OF

SANTA CLARA OWNS

AND OPERATES

GROUNDWATER
WELLS.

Source water boundaries are approximate
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TASMAN
{a)
MONROE
{b)

EL CAMINO REAL
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Definitions and Notes
Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS) = MCLs and
MRDLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) = The highest
level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.

Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL (MCLG) = The
level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL (MRDL) =
The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.

There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL GOAL
(MRDLG) = The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

PUBLIC HEALTH GOAL (PHG) = The level of a contaminant
in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency.

REGULATORY ACTION LEVEL (AL) = The concentration of a
contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

TREATMENT TECHNIQUE (TT) = A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS = Unregulated
contaminant monitoring helps EPA and State Water Resources Control Board to determine where certain contaminants
occur and whether the contaminants need to be regulated.

The list of unregulated contaminants to monitor is updated every four years by the EPA.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) PPM = Parts Per Million
PPB = Parts Per Billion
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM = drinking water delivery system
RESIDENTIAL TAPS = household faucets used for lead and
copper sampling
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS = chemical by products of
disinfection
SECONDARY STANDARDS = secondary MCLs are set to
protect the aesthetics of drinking water
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality.
uS/cm = microSiemens per centimeter
NA = not applicable or available
ND = not detected
NS = no standard
Copper and Lead Tap Monitoring was performed at 52
residential taps in September 2022.

HARDNESS = the sum of polyvalent cations present in the water, generally magnesium and calcium. The cations are usually naturally occurring.

SODIUM = refers to the salt present in the water and is generally naturally occurring.

Attention
This report contains important information about
your drinking water. Translate it, or speak with
someone who understands it.

Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito. Mangyaring ipasalin ito.

Attencion: Este informe contiene informacion muy
importante sobre su agua beber. Traduzcalo o hable con
alguien que lo entienda bien.

Notes
(1) Natural fluoride in the Hetch Hetchy source was ND. (2) These are monthly average turbidity values calculated from turbidity measured every four hours daily. (3) In 2022, Boron was detected at a level of 1,300 ppb in the raw water stored in Pond F3 East, one of the SFRWS’s approved sources in the Alameda Watershed. The corresponding level in the treated water from the SVWTP was only 110 ppm due to blending with water from San Antonio Reservoir in the influent pipeline to the treatment plant. (4) John Sutter Elementary 2018 Result - 26ppb. Repeat sampling following plumbing repairs was non-detect for lead.

City of Santa Clara

WATER QUALITY TABLE
analysis for
City SC Well Water
analysis for

VALLEY WATER
analysis for
HETCH HETCHYState PHG/
Fed (MCLG)UNIT MCL range average range average range average Common Sources of:

Primary Standards For Source Water Sampling: or [max]

MICROBIOLOGICAL
giardia lamblia cyst/L TT 0 NA NA NA NA 0 - 0.04 0.01 naturally present in environment

RADIOACTIVITY
Gross Alpha pCi/L 15 (0) ND ND NT NT ND ND erosion of natural deposits

INORGANIC CHEMICAL
Barium PPM 1 2 ND - 0.12 ND ND ND ND ND erosion of natural deposit/oil drilling Fluoride PPM 2 1 0.15 - 0.22 0.18 ND - 0.13 ND ND - 0.8 0.3 (1) water additive/erosion of natural deposits Nitrate (as Nitrogen) PPM 10 10 1.1 - 5.2 3.7 ND - 0.7 0.4 ND ND erosion of natural deposit/runoff/leaching Secondary Standards: "Consumer Acceptance Contaminent Levels" Chloride PPM 500 NA 40 - 68 53 71 - 95 83 < 3 - 15 8.7 runoff/leaching natural deposits/seawater Color UNITS 15 NA ND ND ND - 5 2 < 5 - 5 < 5 naturally occuring organic material Iron PPB 300 NA ND ND < 20 <20 < 6 - 24 11 leaching from natural deposits/ind. wastes Odor UNITS 3 NA ND ND 1 1 ND ND naturally occuring organic material Foaming Agents (MBAS) PPB 500 NA ND-58 19 < 0.10 < 0.10 ND ND Municipal and ind. waste discharges Sp. Conductance uS/cm 1600 NA 609 - 782 681 562 - 626 581 37 - 210 140 subst. forming ions/seawater intrusion Sulfate PPM 500 NA 34 - 50 41 50 - 74 65 1.1 - 29 15 runoff/leaching natural deposits/ind. waste Tot.Dissolved Solids PPM 1000 NA 384 - 460 417 308 - 362 335 < 20 - 104 61 runoff/leaching from natural deposits Turbidity NTU 5 NA ND - 0.43 0.2 0.01 - 0.28 0.06 0.2 - 0.4 (2) [3.4] soil runoff Consumer Information
pH UNITS NS NS 7.5 - 9.5 8.0 7.5 - 8.0 7.8 8.2 - 9.6 9.2 Alkalinity (as CaCO3) PPM NS NS 191 - 287 239 61 - 78 73 7.1 - 166 41 Ammonia (NH3-N) PPM NS NS NA NA 0.44 - 0.55 0.50 NA NA
Bicarbonate Alkalinity (as HCO3) PPM NS NS 191 - 287 239 74 - 95 86 NA NA Boron PPB NS NS NA NA 126 - 182 163 28 - 105 (3) 56
Bromide PPB NS NS NA NA ND - 160 78 ND ND
Calcium (as Ca) PPM NS NS 71 - 90 84 17 - 25 23 3.2 - 15 9.3 Chlorate PPB NS NS NA NA 96 - 221 150 45 - 650 147
Hardness PPM NS NS 250 - 320 296 92 - 122 114 9.1 - 49 32 Hexavalent Chromium PPB NS 0.02 1.0 - 2.5 1.7 < 1.00 < 1.00 0.22 - 0.27 0.25 Magnesium PPM NS NS 18 - 24 21 12 - 15 14 0.2 - 4.2 2.9 Phosphate PPM NS NS NA NA 1.02 - 1.17 1.08 ND ND
Potassium PPM NS NS 1.2 - 1.5 1.3 3.6 - 4.6 4.1 0.3 - 1 0.7 Silica PPM NS NS NA NA 7 - 14 11 5 - 5.9 5.5
Sodium PPM NS NS 24 - 32 27 65 - 79 71 3.5 - 21 14
Strontium pCi/ L NS NS NA NA NA NA 16 - 159 79
Temperature Deg. C NS NS 11 - 26 19 14 - 22 19 NA NA
Total Organic Carbon PPM NS NS NA NA 1.5 - 3.0 2.3 1.3 - 3.9 2.3 Vanadium PPB NS NS NA NA 2 - 3 2 NA NA
Primary Standards As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System:

Units MCL State MCL Range Average Common Sources of:

MICROBIOLOGICAL (Fed PHG)
Total Coliform % pos (+) 5.00% (0) 0 - 0.1% < 5% naturally present in environment Fecal Coliform and E.coli (3) # of pos (+) 0 0 0 0 human and animal fecal waste

DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS, RESIDUALS, PRECURSORS
Trihalomethanes PPB 80 NA ND - 57 [54.8] byproduct of drinking water disinfection Haloacetic Acids PPB 60 NA ND - 39 [37.8] byproduct of drinking water disinfection Chlorine residual PPM 4 4 0.0 - 3.9 1.03 drinking water disinfectant INORGANIC CHEMICAL as measured at 52 Residential Taps in 2022:

Units Notification Level Range Average
Total Haleoacetic Acids (9) PPB NA ND - 58 23.6
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Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. Fluoridation adjusts the naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water to the ideal level for protecting your teeth. Fluoridated drinking water benefits people of all ages by preventing tooth decay.

The water purchased by the City from the SFPUC is fluoridated, while water from Valley Water is not fluoridated. If your zip code is 95054, you are in the area receiving fluoridated water. However, this area is also served by well water that has not been fluoridated.

Fluoridated water from SFPUC is blended with well water. Refer to the map that shows the area supplied with water from both the Hetch-Hetchy system and the City’s wells. The majority of the City will continue to receive water without added fluoride.

State law requires the addition of fluoride to all water systems in California serving 10,000 customers or more. In the future, Valley Water plans to add fluoridation to the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant which services the southern portion of Santa Clara.

Fluoridation of the remaining water sources in the City would require installation of fluoride injecting equipment at each of the City's 19 active wells. The law includes a provision for state funds to finance this fluoridation equipment; however; it may be some time before the state can provide funding to move forward with a fluoridation program for the remainder of the City.

Contact your health provider if you have concerns about dental fluorosis. For additional information about fluoridation or oral health, visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov/fluoridation or the State Water Board website https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/ certlic/drinkingwater/Fluoridation.html.

Some Santa Clara Water
is Flouridated
Water Quality Monitoring

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DRINKING WATER SOURCE

ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PROGRAM
The City completed a Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection (DWSAP) Program for the groundwater sources. The DWSAP was completed in August 2002 and submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board in December 2002. A copy of the DWSAP is available at the City's Water Utility offices at 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara. You may request a summary of the individual assessments by contacting the Water Utility at (408) 615- 2000 or by email at [email protected].

The City's groundwater sources are considered most vulnerable to contamination by leaking underground tanks containing fuel or dry- cleaning chemicals; old, unrecorded septic systems; storm drain dry wells located at various places around the City; many old, shallow, private wells, abandoned and not properly destroyed; and possibly some contaminants from a small landfill dump left over from the early years of the 20th century.

LEAD
There have been no exceedances of the ACTION LEVEL for lead in the City of Santa Clara groundwater sources or supplies purchased from other agencies. It is possible for lead levels in your home to be higher than other homes in the community because of plumbing materials used in the original construction of your home. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Santa Clara is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/lead.
“NITRATES” - INFORMATION ABOUT NITRATES IN

GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants less than six months old. Such nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of the infant’s blood to carry oxygen, resulting in serious illness; symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L may also affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, such as pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies.

If you are caring for an infant, or you are pregnant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

PFAS
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as “PFAS” are a group of chemicals that have been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products such as carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food, firefighting foams, and other materials including waterproof/stain resistant/ nonstick cookware. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two common types of PFAS. The City has completed monitoring for PFAS compounds at select well sites based on proximity to a potential source of contamination (airports which are known to have used aqueous film foaming agents for fire suppression and training). No PFAS compounds have been detected during monitoring. In October 2021, the City received a waiver for PFAS monitoring because PFAS was not detected in all collected samples.

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA IN WATER RESOURCES
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease of the intestinal tract brought on by a parasitic microbe (a protozoan) called Cryptosporidium. The disease is transmitted through contaminated water, food or direct contact with human or animal waste. If you are healthy with a normal immune system, the flu-like symptoms usually last about two weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, upset stomach and slight fever.

However, immuno-compromised people, infants, small children, and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness.

The water purchased by the City from the SFPUC Hetch Hetchy system has been tested for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The source waters and treated waters are tested at least monthly and occasionally show very low levels of Cryptosporidium in the waters serving the East Bay, South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula. Giardia, another parasitic organism causing similar symptoms, is monitored with the same frequency and very low levels are occasionally detected in the same source waters.

The general public is at very low risk and there have been no reported cases of Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis attributed to the City’s public water supply. This advisory applies to water received from the Hetch Hetchy system in the area of the City north of Highway 101.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issues guidance for people with serious immune system problems. Currently, available guidance from the state and county health agencies recommends that people with such conditions consult with their doctor or primary health care provider about preventing Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection from all potential sources. Water consumers may choose to boil their drinking water at a rolling boil for at least one minute as an extra precaution.

For information about Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis, or copies of available guidance, contact the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health at 408 918-3400. You may also contact the USEPA Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

CONTAMINANTS THAT OCCUR IN DRINKING WATER

OBTAINED FROM SURFACE SOURCES AND UNDERGROUND

SOURCES
Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, that can be naturally- occurring or resulting from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming;
• Pesticides and herbicides, that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses; • Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals. that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems;
• Radioactive contaminants, that can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426- 4791.

WATER CONSERVATION
Due to improved drought conditions and record snow survey conducted by the Department of Water Resources, on March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order ending the State of California’s voluntary 15% water conservation target. In response to the improved water supply conditions, the Governor’s Executive Order and City water suppliers, Valley Water and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission rescinding the drought emergency, City of Santa Clara’s Council also rescinded the local drought emergency on May 9, 2023. However, the State Water Resources Control Board conservation emergency regulations still remain in place and Valley Water is also maintaining a 15% voluntary conservation requirement. Therefore, the City continues to maintain a 15% voluntary conservation and other water conservation measures. We must permanently adopt the drought adaptations we have made, making them part of a conservation mindset and lifestyle that sustains Santa Clara regardless of California’s weather fluctuations.

City of Santa Clara
1500 Warburton Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-615-2200
SantaClaraCA.gov
Water Utility
1500 Warburton Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050
Office hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.,
Monday-Friday
408-615-2000
Water Billing Questions
408-615-2300
Water Conservation
SantaClaraCA.gov/
WaterConservation
Water Quality Report Questions
Diane Asuncion
408-615-2000
[email protected]
Water Emergencies
408-615-2000 Monday-Friday,
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
408-615-5640 other days and times
Valley Water Water Conservation
ValleyWater.org/watersavingsorg
408-630-2554 – Water Conservation
Hotline and Rebate Information
Sign up for a free Water-Wise House
Call from Valley Water by calling
1-800-548-1882
Resources
If you would like to learn more about
drinking water quality, treatment and
regulation, contact these organizations:

American Water Works Association
AWWA.org
State Water Resources Control Board,
Division of Drinking Water
www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_
water/programs/index.html
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
water.epa.gov/drink
San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission, Water Quality Bureau
SFWater.org
Valley Water
ValleyWater.org
Water Education Foundation
WaterEducation.org
Water Quality & Agriculture Info Center
www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/waic
Public Input
To provide input on decisions that affect
drinking water quality, provide input to the
Santa Clara City Council at a Council meeting
or in advance to mayorandcouncil@
santaclaraca.gov or call 408-615-2250. A
list of all City Council meetings, agenda items
and study sessions can be viewed on the City
website at SantaClaraCA.gov/Meetings
eNotify
Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/eNews to sign up
to receive news from Water Utility.

For Additional Information On Water Quality
Published June 2024

2023
Water Quality
Consumer Confidence Report
ssible
Our naturally clean tap
water comes from three
sources that are used
interchangeably or are
blended:

Santa Clara Drinking Water Sources
They provide an average of 15 million gallons of water per day to Santa Clara’s residential & commercial communities.

Valley Water’s source serves primarily the southwesterly portion of the City. San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) water typically serves the area north of Highway 101. The remaining water is pumped from the City’s system of 20 active wells serving the rest of Santa Clara. The map shows the general areas served by each source.

Assessed much more frequently than bottled water, Santa Clara’s tap water undergoes rigorous regular testing and monitoring for over 100 potential contaminants and dozens of other parameters to ensure our drinking water meets Federal and State standards for health.

Santa Clara takes
pride in delivering
safe, reliable,
high-quality
drinking water
Each year we publish the Water Quality
Consumer Confidence Report, containing the
latest water quality monitoring results through
the end of the prior calendar year and answering
the most common customer questions. We hope
it provides facts and perspectives you need to
make an informed evaluation of your tap water.

Drinking water quality is carefully regulated by the
Federal Government with the Safe Drinking Water
Act, requiring the U.S. EPA to establish uniform
standards that are enforced by the State Water
Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of
Drinking Water.

The 2023 Water Quality Report is prepared
in accordance with requirements of the Safe
Drinking Water Act and State regulations. To
simplify the report, only constituents that were
detected in at least one water source appear in
the water quality table. As required by the State,
we also provide additional information for certain
constituents appearing on the water quality table
though the water meets all applicable drinking
water standards.

PRIMARY STANDARDS are designed to protect
public health, specifying limits called "Maximum
Contaminant Levels" (MCLs) for substances in
water that may be harmful to humans or affect
health if consumed in large quantities.

SECONDARY STANDARDS are qualities such as
color, taste and odor, specifying limits for
substances that may affect consumer
acceptance of the water.

The State allows us to monitor some
contaminants less than once per year since their
concentrations don’t change frequently. Due to
regulatory monitoring schedules, some data are
more than one year old.

The Drinking Water Source Assessment and
Protection (DWSAP) Program completed and
submitted to the SWRCB in 2002 is available at
the Water & Sewer Utilities Office at City Hall. You
may request a summary by calling (408) 615-
2000 or by emailing
[email protected].

Information & Guidance
for People With
Compromised Immune
Systems
Some people may be more vulnerable to
contaminants in drinking water than the general
population. People with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ
transplants, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune
system disorders, some elderly, infants and other
immuno-compromised people can be particularly
at risk from infections and should seek advice
about drinking water from their health care
providers. Guidelines for ways to lessen the risk
of microbial contaminant infection: United States
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Safe
Drinking Water Hotline: 1(800) 426-4791.

Please share this Water Quality Report with all
people who drink City tap water, especially if
they may not have received this notice directly
(those in apartments, nursing homes, schools and
businesses).

Share access to the Water Quality Report at
SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQualityReport. Post it
in a public place or distribute paper copies by
hand or mail.

Free paper copies of the 2023 Water Quality
Consumer Confidence Report are available at:
• City Hall
• City Libraries
• Santa Clara Senior Center
• Community Recreation Center
• By request: [email protected]
or (408) 615-2000
Water System
Improvements
The City performed several capital improvement
projects to maintain a high level of service and
provide quality potable water to our customers.

Our Water Main Replacement Program
successfully met its annual goal of replacing
10,000 linear feet of aging water main in 2023.

Replacement mains were upsized to standard 8-
or 12-inch new zinc coated, ductile iron mains.

The replacement water mains will improve water
quality and system resilience.

Well Rehabilitation
Two well rehabilitation projects, Wells 34 and 23,
began toward the end of 2023; Well 23 had been
inactive since 2017. The projects include repairs
and replacement to the existing pump/motor and
well redevelopment. Both wells are expected to
return to service in 2024.

In addition to our capital improvement projects,
the City conducts storage tank maintenance,
cross connection tests, and flushing programs to
protect our water quality year-round.

1. Protected groundwater wells within the City, tapping aquifers 500 to 900 feet deep

2. Local reservoirs, rivers feeding the Sacramento Delta, and others from Valley Water, our local water wholesaler

3. Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains via the
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Santa Clara,
California
Blend of SFPUC
Hetch Hetchy
System and
Groundwater
a
Blend of Valley
Water Treated
Surface Water
and Groundwater
c
City of
Santa Clara
Groundwater
b
Source water
boundaries are
approximate
Source Water Information
City Groundwater Wells
Most of our water is pumped from the City’s system of deep wells. Well water is pulled up from aquifers. Replenished by rainwater that infiltrates down from the land surface, aquifers are waterfilled spaces deep in the ground that collect rain naturally filtered through layers of sand, gravel, and silt.

SFPUC System
The City purchases water from the SFPUC, which is exempt from Federal and State filtration requirements, but receives the following treatments, meeting all drinking water standards:
• Disinfection using ultraviolet light and chlorine
• pH adjustment for optimum corrosion control
• Fluoridation for dental health
• Chloramination to maintain disinfectant residual &
minimize the formation of regulated disinfection
byproducts
Valley Water
Valley Water’s treated surface water is mainly imported from the South Bay Aqueduct, Dyer Reservoir, Lake Del Valle, and San Luis Reservoir, which all draw water from the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta watershed. Calero Reservoir is Valley Water’s local water source. Imported and locally sourced water is pumped to three water treatment plants in the County. Valley Water provides water to Santa Clara from the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.

Visit the City’s Water Quality webpage for more information:

SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQuality
This Water Quality Consumer
Confidence Report Details:
• The City’s water sources and
their distribution.
• Federal and State standards
that drinking water must meet.
• Specific standards and
contaminants for which
each of our water sources is
monitored and tested.
• Required information
explaining why certain
contaminants (lead,
nitrates, perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS), etc.) are monitored.

Since the City’s first water service in
1894, reliably serving high-quality
drinking water has been the top
priority of Water & Sewer Utilities. With
turn-of-the-tap convenience, Santa
Clarans enjoy fresh, clean drinking
water at about 1¢ per gallon.

We encourage the public to
hydrate locally. Take full, cost-
effective advantage of California-
sourced drinking water, pure and
uncompromised by questionable
plastic packaging, no bulk storage
required. Grab a stainless steel or
glass bottle and fill up fresh from the
tap with clean California water to-go or
enjoy at home. Drink Santa Clara’s tap
water with confidence to the health
of your family, our community and the
environment.

UNIT MCL State PHG/
Fed (MCLG)
Analysis for
City SC Well Water
Analysis for

VALLEY WATER
Analysis for
SFPUC Common Sources
Range Average Range Average Range Average
Primary Standards For Source Water Sampling: [highest running average]

MICROBIOLOGICAL
Giardia lamblia cyst/L TT 0 NA NA NA NA 0 - 0.13 0.03 naturally present in environment

RADIOACTIVITY
Gross Alpha pCi/L 15 (0) NA NA 3.3 3.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits Uranium pCi/L 20 0.43 NA NA 1.3 1.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits

INORGANIC CHEMICAL
Barium PPM 1 2 0.09 - 0.13 0.11 ND ND ND ND erosion of natural deposit/oil drilling Fluoride PPM 2 1 0.14 - 0.17 0.16 ND - 0.16 ND 0.4 - 2.6 0.6 water additive/erosion of natural deposits Nitrate (as Nitrogen) PPM 10 10 0.93 - 5.3 3.4 ND - 1.3 0.6 ND - 0.6 ND erosion of natural deposits/runoff/leaching Secondary Standards: "Consumer Acceptance Contaminent Levels" Chloride PPM 500 NA 34 - 47 43 11 - 52 37 <3 - 9.3 4.6 runoff/leaching natural deposits/seawater Color UNITS 15 NA ND ND 1 - 5 4 < 5 - 5 < 5 naturally occuring organic material Iron PPB 300 NA ND ND < 20 <20 < 6 - 42 21 leaching from natural deposits/industrial wastes Odor UNITS 3 NA ND ND 1.4 - 2.0 1.9 ND ND naturally occuring organic material Manganese PPB 50 NA ND ND < 1.0 < 1.0 3.1 - 4.6 3.8 leaching from natural deposits Specific Conductance uS/cm 1600 NA 559 - 690 622 188 - 463 369 32 - 289 160 substances that form ions when in water Sulfate PPM 500 NA 40 - 50 46 34 - 78 56 1.2 - 36 19 runoff/leaching natural deposits/industrial waste Total Dissolved Solids PPM 1000 NA 364 - 444 391 112 - 272 213 <20 - 153 77 runoff/leaching from natural deposits Turbidity NTU 5 NA ND - 1.3 0.37 0.03 - 0.30 0.05 0.1 - 0.6 (1) [0.3] soil runoff Consumer Information
pH UNITS NS NS 7.6 - 7.8 7.7 7.4 - 7.9 7.6 8.4 - 9.8 9.3 Alkalinity (as CaCO 3) PPM NS NS 182- 220 200 36 - 62 54 3.1 - 103 44 Aluminum PPB 1000 600 ND ND ND ND ND - 82 ND
Bicarbonate Alkalinity (as HCO 3) PPM NS NS 182 - 220 200 43 - 76 66 NA NA Boron PPB NS NS NA NA ND - 167 ND 22 - 65 43
Bromomethane PPB NS NS ND - 0.14 ND < 0.50 < 0.50 ND ND Calcium (as Ca) PPM NS NS 63 - 75 69 10 - 25 18 2.9 - 24 13 Chlorate (2) PPB NS NS NA NA 68 - 108 84 30 - 749 168
Hardness PPM NS NS 250 - 300 270 42 - 114 82 7.5 - 86 47 Hexavalent Chromium PPB 10 (3) 0.02 2.3 - 3.9 2.9 < 1.00 < 1.00 0.11 - 0.35 0.23 Magnesium PPM NS NS 17 - 31 24 4 - 13 9 0.2 - 8.4 4.3
Phosphate PPM NS NS NA NA 1.03 - 1.11 1.08 ND ND
Potassium PPM NS NS 1.2 - 1.3 1.2 1.6 - 3.6 2.8 0.3 - 1.7 1.0 Silica PPM NS NS NA NA 10 - 14 12 4.9 - 9.4 7.1
Sodium PPM NS NS 23 - 26 24 20 - 52 40 2.7 - 19 11
Strontium pCi/ L NS NS NA NA NA NA 14 - 331 173
T-Butyl alcohol (TBA) PPB NS NS ND - 2.3 ND < 2.0 < 2.0 NA NA Temperature Deg. C NS NS 10 - 25 19 12.5 - 21.0 17.3 NA NA Total Organic Carbon PPM NS NS NA NA 1.2 - 2.2 1.8 1.2 - 1.8 [1.5] Vanadium PPB NS NS NA NA 1 - 2 1 NA NA
Primary Standards As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System:

UNITS MCL State MCL Range Average Common Sources
MICROBIOLOGICAL (Fed PHG)
Total Coliform % pos (+) 5.00% (0) 0 - 2.1% < 5% naturally present in environment Fecal Coliform and E.coli (4) # of pos (+) 0 0 0 0 human and animal fecal waste

DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS, RESIDUALS, PRECURSORS
Trihalomethanes PPB MRDL = 80 NA ND - 86 [67.0] disinfection byproduct Haloacetic Acids PPB MRDL = 60 NA ND - 68 [46.0] disinfection byproduct Chlorine residual (5) PPM MRDL = 4 4 0.0 - 4.8 0.9 drinking water disinfectant INORGANIC CHEMICAL as measured at 52 Residential Taps in 2022:

Copper (6) PPM AL = 1.3 0.3 90th percentile = 0.47 ppm Number Exceeded = 0 corrosion of plumbing systems Lead (6) PPB AL = 15 0.2 90th percentile = ND Number Exceeded = 0 corrosion of plumbing systems SCHOOLS REQUESTING LEAD TESTING IN 2018: 33 Schools (172 samples taken) Lead PPB AL = 15 0.2 90th percentile = ND Number Exceeded = 1 (7) corrosion of plumbing systems Unregulated Contaminants As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System:

UNITS Notification Level Range Average
Total Haleoacetic Acids (9) PPB NA ND - 58 23.6
Definitions
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS = chemical
byproducts of disinfection
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM = drinking water
delivery system
HARDNESS = the sum of polyvalent cations
present in the water, generally magnesium
and calcium. The cations are usually naturally
occurring.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) =
The highest level of a contaminant allowed in
drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close
to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and
technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are
set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance
of drinking water.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL
(MCLG) = The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the
U.S. EPA.

MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL
(MRDL) = The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. There is convincing
evidence that addition of a disinfectant is
necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL
GOAL (MRDLG) = The level of a drinking water
disinfectant below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect
the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants.

NA = not applicable or available
ND = not detected
NS = no standard
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. Turbidity
is a measure of the cloudiness of the water.

We monitor it because it is a good indicator of
water quality.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter (a measure of
radioactivity)
PPB = Parts Per Billion (µg/L)
PPM = Parts Per Million (mg/L)

PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
(PDWS) = MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants
that affect health along with their monitoring
and reporting requirements, and water
treatment requirements.

PUBLIC HEALTH GOAL (PHG) = The level of
a contaminant in drinking water below which
there is no known or expected risk to health.

PHGs are set by the California EPA.

REGULATORY ACTION LEVEL (AL) =
The concentration of a contaminant which,
if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements that a water system must follow.

RESIDENTIAL TAPS = household faucets used
for lead and copper sampling
SECONDARY STANDARDS = secondary
MCLs are set to protect the aesthetics of
drinking water
SODIUM = refers to the salt present in the water
and is generally naturally occurring.

TREATMENT TECHNIQUE (TT) = A required
process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS =
Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps
EPA and SWRCB to determine where certain
contaminants occur and whether the
contaminants need to be regulated. Every four
years, the EPA updates the list of unregulated
contaminants to monitor.
uS/cm = microSiemens per centimeter
Notes
(1) These are monthly average turbidity values
calculated from turbidity measured every four
hours daily.
(2) The detected chlorate in the treated water is
a degradation product of sodium hypochlorite
used by the San Francisco Regional Water
System for water disinfection.
(3) The rulemaking to establish an MCL of
10 ppb (μg/L) for Hexavalent Chromium will be
finalized in 2024.
(4) The MCL was changed to E. coli starting
on July 1, 2021 when the State Revised Total
Coliform Rule became effective.
(5) Compliance for Chlorine residual MRDL is
based on running annual average.
(6) Copper and Lead Tap Monitoring was
performed at 52 residential taps in
September 2022.
(7) 2018 sampling result for John Sutter
Elementary was 26ppb. Repeat sampling
following plumbing repairs was non-detect
for lead.

City of Santa Clara
Water Quality Table
All Santa Clara
water sources
meet or exceed
Federal and
State standards.

The U.S. EPA and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) prescribe regulations that limit the amounts of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems to ensure its safety. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish contaminant limits in bottled water to provide protection for public health, though it’s tested less frequently than tap water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may be expected to contain small amounts of contaminants; their presence doesn’t necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.

Information about contaminants and potential health effects:

U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1(800) 426-4791 Some Santa Clara Water is Fluoridated
Fluoridation adjusts naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water to the ideal level for protecting your teeth. Water purchased by the City from the SFPUC is fluoridated, while water from Valley Water is not.

If you’re in zip code 95054, you receive fluoridated water from the SFPUC that may be blended with unfluoridated well water. The area receiving a blend of water from both SFPUC and City wells are shown on the source water map included in this report. The majority of Santa Clara will continue to receive water without added fluoride.

Have concerns about dental fluorosis? Contact your health care provider.

For more information, visit the CDC or SWRCB websites.

Naturally Occurring Drinking Water
Contaminants
Tap and bottled drinking water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. Travelling water dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases radioactive material, potentially picking up substances resulting from animal or human activity.

Naturally occurring source water contaminants may include:
• Microbials (viruses and bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations or wildlife • Inorganics (salts and metals): from stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, farming or naturally occurring
• Pesticides/herbicides: from agriculture, stormwater runoff or landscaping
• Organic chemicals: byproducts of synthetic and volatile organic chemical industrial processes and petroleum production or gas stations, stormwater runoff, agricultural and septic systems • Radioactive contaminants: either naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production or mining activities
Lead
No Santa Clara water sources have exceeded the ACTION LEVEL for lead.

Lead levels in your home may be higher than others due to plumbing in your home’s original construction. Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

Lead in drinking water comes from service line and home plumbing components. The City provides high quality drinking water, but cannot control materials used in your home’s plumbing. When water hasn’t been used for several hours, you can minimize potential lead exposure by:

1. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. (Use collected flushing water for cleaning, watering plants or running your garbage disposal.)

2. Using only cold water for drinking and cooking.

3. Concerned about lead in your water? For more information:
• epa.gov/lead
• Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1(800) 426-4791
Contaminant Regulations
Nitrates in Groundwater Resources
Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L in drinking water present health risks for infants under six months old. Such levels can interfere with the capacity of the infant’s blood to carry oxygen, resulting in serious illness. Likewise, nitrate levels above 10 mg/L may have the same effects in pregnant women or those with specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are pregnant or caring for an infant, consult your health care provider.

PFAS
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as “PFAS” are a group of chemicals that have been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products such as carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food, firefighting foams, and other materials including waterproof/stain resistant/nonstick cookware. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two common types of PFAS. From 2019 to 2021, the City has completed monitoring for PFAS compounds at select well sites based on proximity to a potential source of contamination (airports which are known to have used aqueous film foaming agents for fire suppression and training). No PFAS compounds have been detected during monitoring. In October 2021, the City received a waiver for PFAS monitoring because PFAS were not detected in any collected samples.

The City will complete monitoring at 17 representative groundwater wells and two surface water turnouts for U.S. EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for PFAS by the year 2025. No PFAS compounds have been detected during monitoring in 2023.

Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent Chromium, also known as Chromium-6, occurs naturally throughout California from the erosion of chromium deposits. It has also been utilized in variety of industrial activities, including the manufacturing of textile dyes, wood preservation, leather tanning, and anticorrosion coatings.

Currently, there is rulemaking in progress to establish the regulatory standard for Hexavalent Chromium at 10 µ g/ml.

SFPUC Water: Tested for
Cryptosporidium & Giardia
Monthly (or more frequent) tests of SFPUC source and treated waters occasionally show very low levels of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water serving the East Bay, South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula.

Cryptosporidiosis, an intestinal tract disease brought on by a parasitic microbe called Cryptosporidium, transmits through contaminated water, food or direct contact with human or animal waste. Giardia is caused by a different parasitic organism, but causes similar flu-like symptoms. Cryptosporidiosis and Giardia symptoms usually last about two weeks for those with normal immune systems. Immuno-compromised people, infants, small children and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness.

Available guidance from the California Department of Public Health and County health agencies recommend that people with serious immune problems consult with their doctors or primary health care providers about preventing Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection from all potential sources.

Water consumers may choose to boil drinking water at a rolling boil for at least one minute as an extra precaution.

Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis information and guidance:
•
Santa Clar
a County Department of Environmental Health:
(408) 918-3400
• U.

S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
1(800) 426-4791
The Conservation Way of Life
Statewide rainfall year totals are 108% of average. Groundwater conditions remain healthy countywide. Yet the voluntary 15% water use reduction continues: Why?

1. Anderson R
eservoir, the largest locally, is offline for seismic

retr
ofit until 2032.

2. New St
ate legislation, Making Conservation a California Way of Life, mandates urban water use reductions.

3. The next dr
ought is around the corner.

Recognizing the drought reality, an emergency measure the State adopted during the last drought permanently bans drinking water for landscape use at commercial, industrial and institutional properties with AB 1572. More changes will come as the State faces an uncertain water future.

Conservation remains critical to ensure our drinking water supplies.

Santa Clara continues its downward trend in drinking water use, largely due to reduced outdoor watering. The City thanks residents and business owners who have taken conservation seriously. We must permanently adopt drought adaptations we have made, making them part of a conservation mindset and lifestyle that sustains Santa Clara regardless of California’s weather fluctuations. Do your part; maximize water resources and reduce water pollution using generous water rebates: SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterRebates City of Santa Clara
1500 Warburton Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-615-2200
SantaClaraCA.gov
Water & Sewer Utilities
1500 Warburton Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050
Office hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri
408-615-2000
Email: [email protected]
Water Emergencies
408-615-2000
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Water Billing Questions
408-615-2300
Water Quality Report Questions
Vikram Manke
408-615-2000
Email: [email protected]
Public Input
Provide input on decisions that affect drinking water
quality to Santa Clara City Council at a Council
meeting or in advance:

Email: [email protected]
or 408-615-2250.

A list of all City Council meetings, agenda items &
study sessions can be viewed on the City website at
SantaClara.Legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Water Conservation and Rebates
SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterConservation
WaterSavings.org
ValleyWater.org
Water Conservation Hotline and Rebate Information:
408-630-2554
For a free Water-Wise Outdoor Survey, leave a
message at: 408-630-2000
Water Quality, Treatment &
Regulation Resources
American Water Works Association
AWWA.org
State Water Resources Control Board,
Division of Drinking Water
WaterBoards.CA.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Water.epa.gov/Drink
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission,
Water Quality Bureau
SFWater.org
Valley Water
ValleyWater.org
Water Quality & Agriculture Information Center
nal.usda.gov/programs/waic
Additional Water Quality Information
Attention
Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito. Mangyaring ipasalin ito.

This report contains important information about
your drinking water. Translate it, or speak with
someone who understands it.

Attencion: Este informe contiene informacion muy
importante sobre su agua beber. Traduzcalo o hable con
alguien que lo entienda bien.

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Xin nho nglloi djch cho quy vj.
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Published June 2025
2024
Water Quality
Consumer Confidence Report

CITY OF SANTA CLARA
1500 WARBURTON AVENUE
SANTA CLARA, CA 95050
The EPA and SWRCB prescribe regulations that limit the amounts of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems to ensure its safety. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish contaminant limits in bottled water to provide protection for public health, though it’s tested less frequently than tap water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may be expected to contain small amounts of contaminants; their presence doesn’t necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.

Naturally occurring source water contaminants may include:
• Microbials (viruses, bacteria) sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations or wildlife
• Inorganics (salts, metals): stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, farming, naturally occurring
• Pesticides/herbicides: agriculture, stormwater runoff, landscaping • Organic chemicals: byproducts of synthetic and volatile organic chemical industrial processes and petroleum production or gas stations, stormwater runoff, agricultural and septic systems • Radioactive contaminants: naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production or mining activities
Arsenic and Perchlorate
Both Arsenic and Perchlorate were below their Public Health Goals, meaning there is no known or expected risk at their current levels in the City's drinking water.

Sources of arsenic occur from erosion of natural deposits, orchard runoff, and electronics and glass production wastes. Sources of perchlorate include rocket fuel, explosives and industrial uses and their resulting environmental contamination.

Lead
No Santa Clara water sources have exceeded the ACTION LEVEL for lead.

1. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. (Use collected flushing water for cleaning, watering plants or running your garbage disposal.)

2. Using only cold water for drinking and cooking.

Concerned about lead in your water? Vi sit epa.gov/lead.

An initial lead service line inventory was completed in 2024 where more than 2,000 ser vice lines were inspected. No lead services were found during the inspections. A summary of the inventory can be found at SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterServiceLineInventory.

Nitrates in Groundwater Resources
Nitrate levels above 10 ppm in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of blood to carry oxygen in infants under six months old, pregnant women or those with specific enzyme deficiencies, resulting in serious illness. If you are pregnant or caring for an infant, consult your health care provider.

PFAS
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, are a group of chemicals that have been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products such as carpets, clothing, furniture, fabrics, paper packaging for food, firefighting foams, and other materials including waterproof/stain resistant/nonstick cookware. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two common types of PFAS. From 2019 to date, no PFAS compounds have been detected during the City's monitoring.

Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent Chromium, also known as Chromium-6, occurs naturally f rom the erosion of chromium deposits. It’ s used in various applications: paints, dyes, anticorrosion coatings and other industrial uses. As of October 1, 2024, the regulatory standard for Hexavalent Chromium is 10 ppb. Our 20 groundwater wells were tested for Hexavalent Chromium and were all found to be below 10 ppb.

Contaminant Regulations SFPUC Water: Tested for
Cryptosporidium & Giardia
Monthly (or more frequent) tests of SFPUC source and treated waters occasionally show very low levels of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water serving the East Bay, South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula.

Symptoms usually last about two weeks for those with normal immune systems. Immuno-compromised people, infants, small children and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness.

Guidance from the California Department of Public Health and County health agencies recommend that people with serious immune problems consult their health care providers about preventing Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection. They may choose to bring drinking water to a rolling boil for at least one minute as an extra precaution.

Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis information and guidance:
• Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health:
408-918-3400
Some Santa Clara Water is Fluoridated
Fluoridation adjusts naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water to the ideal level for protecting your teeth. Water purchased by the City from the SFPUC is fluoridated, while water from Valley Water is not.

For more information, visit cdc.gov/fluoridation.

Leaks Sneak Up!
The EPA found that one in ten homes has a leak that wastes 90 gallons of water or more per day! Be diligent in checking for leaks in your home and landscape. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/FixALeak for leak detection tips and to learn how the City can help.

Making Conservation A California Way
of Life
Last year, statewide rainfall topped 100% of average; now Moderate to Extreme drought conditions prevail in Southern California, while Abnormally Dry conditions threaten us. At our rainy season’s end, Santa Clara County rainfall year totaled just 68% of average. The State recognizes the ongoing drought reality:
• Making Conservation A California Way of Life regulations took effect statewide January 1.
• Urban Water Use Objective calls for a reduction to 47 gallons per capita per day from now until 2030.
• A drought emergency measure now permanently bans drinking water for irrigating non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional (CII) and HOA properties with AB 1572, phasing in 2027.

Conservation remains critical to protect our drinking water supplies. Rain or shine, do your part to maximize water resources using free conservation devices and generous landscape rebates:

SantaClaraCA.gov/SaveOurWater.

Water & Sewer Utilities
1500 Warburton Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050
8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri
408-615-2000, including emergencies
[email protected]
After-Hours Water Emergencies
408-615-5640
Water Billing Questions
408-615-2300
Water Quality Report Questions
Wendy Kwong
408-615-2000
[email protected]
Public Input
Provide input on decisions that affect drinking water
quality to Santa Clara City Council at a Council
meeting or in advance:
408-615-2250
[email protected]
A list of all City Council meetings, agenda items &
study sessions can be viewed on the City website at
SantaClara.Legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Water Quality, Treatment &
Regulation Resources
American Water Works Association
AWWA.org
State Water Resources Control Board,
Division of Drinking Water
WaterBoards.CA.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Water.epa.gov/Drink
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission,
Water Quality Bureau
SFWater.org
Valley Water
ValleyWater.org
Additional Water Quality Information
Attention
Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito. Mangyaring ipasalin ito.

This report contains important information about
your drinking water. Translate it, or speak with
someone who understands it.

Attencion: Este informe contiene informacion muy
importante sobre su agua beber. Traduzcalo o hable con
alguien que lo entienda bien.

PRSRT STD
US Postage
PAID
San Jose, CA
Permit #959
Naturally Clean Tap
Water Sources
Together, they provide an average of 15 million gallons of water per day to Santa Clara. Valley Water serves primarily the south-west portion of the City. SFPUC water typically serves the area north of Highway 101. The remaining water is pumped from the City’s system of 20 active wells serving the rest of Santa Clara. The map shows the general areas served by each source.

Tested much more frequently than bottled water, Santa Clara’s tap water undergoes rigorous, regular laboratory analysis and monitoring for over 100 potential contaminants and dozens of other parameters to ensure our drinking water meets Federal and State standards for health. Each week, water is collected from 34 sample stations throughout the City and sent to State-certified laboratories for testing.

We take pride in
delivering
high-quality
drinking water
This Consumer Confidence Report provides facts
and perspectives you need to make an informed
evaluation of your tap water. It contains water quality monitoring results for calendar year 2024 and
answers the most common customer questions.

The most frequently asked question we hear:
"Is our tap water safe to drink?" Yes! Our drinking
water quality is carefully regulated by the Federal
Government with the Safe Drinking Water Act,
requiring the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to establish uniform standards enforced
by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB),
Division of Drinking Water.

The 2024 Water Quality Report is prepared according
to the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements and
State regulations. Only constituents that were
detected in at least one water source appear in the
water quality table. As required by the State, we also
provide additional information for certain constituents though the water meets all enforceable drinking water
standards.

PRIMARY STANDARDS are designed to protect
public health, specifying limits called Maximum
Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for substances in
water that may be harmful to humans or affect
health if consumed in large quantities.

SECONDARY STANDARDS are qualities such as
color, taste and odor, specifying limits for
substances that may affect consumer acceptance of
the water.

The State allows us to monitor some contaminants
less than once per year since their concentrations
don’t change frequently. Due to regulatory monitoring
schedules, some data can be more than one year old.

For information, guidance and potential health effects
in English and Spanish, call:

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
Guidance for People With
Compromised Immune
Systems
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants
in drinking water than the general population. Those
with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, with HIV/
AIDS or other immune system disorders, who have
undergone organ transplants, and some elderly,
infants and other immuno-compromised people can
be particularly at risk from infections and should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers.

Share this Water Quality Report with all people who
drink City tap water, especially if they may not have
received this notice directly.

This Water Quality Report is available online at
SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQualityReport. Post it
in a public place or distribute paper copies by
hand or mail.

Free paper copies of the 2024 Water Quality Consumer
Confidence Report are available at:
• City Hall
• City Libraries
• Santa Clara Senior Center
• Community Recreation Center
• By request: [email protected]
or 408-615-2000
Water System
Improvements
The City performed several capital improvement
projects to maintain a high level of service and
provide quality potable water to our customers.
2024’s City Water Main Replacement Program
upgraded 12,000 linear feet (LF) of aging water main,
exceeding the annual replacement goal of 10,000 LF.

Replacement mains were up-sized to a standard 8-inch
size and replaced with new zinc-coated, ductile iron
mains. The replacement water mains improve water
quality and system resilience.

Well Rehabilitation
The City completed three well rehabilitation projects
in 2024 to improve efficiency and reliability: Well 18
across from Bowers Park, Well 23 by Millikan Basics+
Elementary and Well 34 near Northside Library.

The rehabilitation included replacement of the
existing pumps and motors, plus well cleaning and
redevelopment. Well 23 had been inactive since 2017.

All three wells are currently in service.

Cross-Connection
Control
The SWRCB adopted the Cross-Connection Policy
Control Handbook (CCCPH) July 1, 2024. The CCCPH
aims to protect public health by establishing standards to ensure a public water system’s drinking water
distribution system will not be subject to the backflow of liquids, gases or other substances. The standards
apply statewide as defined in California’s Health and
Safety Code (CHSC, section 116275 (h)); compliance
is mandatory.

Water & Sewer Utilities’ Compliance Division
administers the City’s cross-connection
control program. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/
CrossConnectionControl for information.

Santa Clara's three water sources are used interchangeably or blended:

1. Protected groundwater wells within the City

2. Local reservoirs, rivers feeding the Sacramento Delta and others from Valley Water, our local water wholesaler

3. Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains via the
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Hetch Hetchy System
Flushing water mains provides the highest water quality possible.

Santa Clara,
California
Blend of SFPUC
Hetch Hetchy
System and
Groundwater
a
Blend of Valley
Water Treated
Surface Water
and Groundwater
c
City of
Santa Clara
Groundwater
b
Source water
boundaries are
approximate
Source Water Information
City Groundwater Wells
Most of our water is pumped from the City’s system of deep wells. Well water is pulled up from aquifers 500 to 900 feet deep. Replenished by rainwater that infiltrates down from the land surface, aquifers are waterfilled spaces deep in the ground that collect rain naturally filtered through layers of sand, gravel, and silt.

SFPUC System
The City purchases water from the SFPUC, which is exempt from Federal and State filtration requirements, but receives the following treatments to meet all drinking water standards:
• Disinfection using ultraviolet light and chlorine
• pH adjustment for optimum corrosion control
• Fluoridation for dental health
• Chloramination to maintain disinfectant residual &
minimize the formation of regulated disinfection
byproducts
Valley Water
Valley Water provides water to Santa Clara from the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant, which processes water both sourced locally from Calero Reservoir and imported from the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

Treatment includes:
• Filtration with anthracite coal and sand
• Disinfection using chlorine and chloramine
Visit the City’s Water Quality webpage for more information:

SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQuality
This Water Quality Consumer
Confidence Report Details:
• Water sources and their
distribution.
• Federal and State standards that
drinking water must meet.
• Specific standards and
contaminants for which each of
our water sources is monitored
and tested.
• Required information explaining
why certain contaminants are
monitored.

Since the City’s first water service in
1895, reliably serving high-quality
drinking water has been the top priority
of Water & Sewer Utilities. With turn-
of-the-tap convenience, Santa Clarans
enjoy fresh, clean drinking water at
about 1¢ per gallon.

We encourage the public to
hydrate locally. Take full, cost-
effective advantage of California-
sourced drinking water, pure and
uncompromised by questionable plastic
packaging.

The Drinking Water Source Assessment
and Protection (DWSAP) Program,
completed and submitted to the
SWRCB in 2002, is available at the
Water & Sewer Utilities Office at City
Hall. You may request a summary by
calling 408-615-2000 or by emailing
watercompliance@SantaClaraCA.
gov.

UNIT MCL State PHG/
Fed MCLG
Analysis for

CSC WELL WATER
Analysis for

VALLEY WATER
Analysis for
SFPUC Common Sources
Range Average Range Average Range Average
Primary Standards For Source Water Sampling [highest running average]

MICROBIOLOGICAL
Giardia lamblia cyst/L TT 0 NA NA NA NA 0 - 0.06 0.02 naturally present in environment

RADIOACTIVITY
Gross Alpha pCi/L 15 (0) NA NA 3.3 3.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits Uranium pCi/L 20 0.43 NA NA 1.3 1.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits

INORGANIC CHEMICAL
Arsenic PPB 10 0.004 ND - 2.2 ND ND ND ND ND erosion of natural deposits/industrial wastes Barium PPM 1 2 ND - 0.2 0.14 ND ND ND ND erosion of natural deposits/oil drilling Fluoride PPM 2 1 ND - 0.2 0.14 ND - 0.11 ND 0.5 - 0.8 0.7 (1) water additive/erosion of natural deposits Hexavalent Chromium PPB 10 0.02 ND - 4.3 1.9 ND ND ND - 0.1 0.1 natural deposit leaching Nitrate (as Nitrogen) PPM 10 10 ND - 5.9 3.3 ND - 0.7 ND ND - 0.4 ND erosion of natural deposits/runoff/leaching Perchlorate PPB 6 1 ND - 1.1 ND ND ND ND ND environmental contamination

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND
Toluene PPB 150 150 ND - 4.3 0.6 ND ND ND ND petroleum or chemical discharges Secondary Standards: Consumer Acceptance Contaminent Levels Aluminum (2) PPB 200 600 ND - 90 ND ND ND ND - 59 ND
erosion of natural deposits; some surface water
treatment residue
Chloride PPM 500 NA 19 - 55 39 47 - 53 50 < 3 - 9.9 4.9 runoff/natural deposit leaching/seawater Color UNITS 15 NA ND - 10 3 ND - 3 2 < 5 < 5 naturally occuring organic material Iron PPB 300 NA ND- 280 130 < 20 < 20 < 6 - 41 20 natural deposit leaching/industrial wastes Odor UNITS 3 NA ND - 1 ND 1.4 - 2.0 1.6 ND ND naturally occuring organic material Manganese PPB 50 NA ND - 23 5 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 2 - 2.7 < 2 natural deposit leaching Specific Conductance uS/cm 1600 NA 465 - 718 591 414 - 522 466 31- 317 174 substances that form ions when in water/
seawater intrusion
Sulfate PPM 500 NA 25 - 58 42 57 - 80 66 1 - 41 21 runoff/natural deposit leaching/industrial wastes Total Dissolved Solids PPM 1000 NA 272 - 428 356 238 - 298 268 24 - 169 97 runoff/natural deposit leaching Turbidity NTU 5 NA 0.12 - 5.8 1.06 0.02 - 0.30 0.04 0.1 - 0.4 0.2 soil runoff Consumer Information
pH UNITS NS NS 7.6 - 7.8 7.7 7.5 - 8.0 7.7 NA NA
Alkalinity (as CaCO 3) PPM NS NS 159 - 246 202 68 - 87 77 7.4 - 120 56 Bicarbonate Alkalinity (as HCO 3) PPM NS NS NA NA 82 - 106 94 ND ND Boron PPB NS NS NA NA 114- 151 133 23 - 65 44
Calcium (as Ca) PPM NS NS 45 - 88 67 19 - 28 23 3.2 - 28 15 Chlorate (3) PPB NS NS NA NA NA NA 24 - 597 134
Hardness PPM NS NS 170 - 330 246 93 - 133 111 8.4 - 106 57 Lithium PPB NS NS NA NA NA NA < 2 - 4 2
Magnesium PPM NS NS 14 - 27 20 11-16 13 0.2 - 9.5 4.9
Phosphate PPM NS NS NA NA 0.96 - 1.16 1.07 ND ND
Potassium PPM NS NS 1 - 1.4 1.2 2.6 - 3.3 3.0 ND ND
Silica PPM NS NS NA NA 11 - 12 12 4.9 - 9.9 7.4
Sodium PPM NS NS 22 - 44 32 45 - 49 47 3.1 - 24 13
Temperature °C NS NS 9.9 - 35.8 19.3 13.9 - 21.6 18 NA NA Total Or
ganic Carbon (4) PPM NS NS NA NA 1.2 - 2.0 1.6 1.1 - 1.8 1.5 Vanadium PPB NS NS NA NA 1 - 2 2 NA NA
Primary Standards As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System UNITS MCL State MCL Range Average Common Sources

MICROBIOLOGICAL
Total Coliform % pos (+) 5.0% 5.0% 0 - 1.4% < 5.0% naturally present in environment Fecal Coliform and E.coli (5) # of pos (+) 0 0 0 0 human and animal fecal waste

DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS, RESIDUALS, PRECURSORS
Trihalomethanes PPB 80 NA ND - 54.0 [56.0] byproduct of drinking water disinfection Haloacetic Acids PPB 60 NA ND - 46.4 [34.9] byproduct of drinking water disinfection Chlorine residual PPM 4 4 0.0 - 3.4 0.8 drinking water disinfectant INORGANIC CHEMICAL as measured at 52 Residential Taps in 2022:

Copper PPM AL = 1.3 0.3 90th percentile = 0.47 ppm Number Exceeded = 0 corrosion of plumbing systems Lead PPB AL = 15 0.2 90th percentile = ND Number Exceeded = 0 corrosion of plumbing systems SCHOOLS REQUESTING LEAD TESTING IN 2018: 33 Schools (172 samples taken) Lead PPB AL = 15 0.2 90th percentile = ND Number Exceeded = 1 (6) corrosion of plumbing systems Unregulated Contaminants As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System UNITS Notification Level Range Average
Lithium PPB NA ND - 10 ND
Definitions
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS = chemical
byproducts of disinfection
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM = drinking water delivery
system
HARDNESS = the sum of polyvalent cations
present in the water, generally magnesium and
calcium. The cations are usually naturally occurring.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) = The
highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking
water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs
(or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically
feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the
odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL (MCLG)
= The level of a contaminant in drinking water
below which there is no known or expected risk to
health. MCLGs are set by the U.S. EPA.

MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL
GOAL (MRDLG) = The level of a drinking water
disinfectant below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect
the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control
microbial contaminants.

NA = not applicable or available
ND = not detected
NS = no standard
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. Turbidity is a
measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor
it because it is a good indicator of water quality.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter (a measure of
radioactivity)
PPB = Parts Per Billion (µg/L)
PPM = Parts Per Million (mg/L)

PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
(PDWS) = MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants
that affect health along with their monitoring
and reporting requirements, and water treatment
requirements.

PUBLIC HEALTH GOAL (PHG) = The level of a
contaminant in drinking water below which there is
no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set
by the California EPA.

REGULATORY ACTION LEVEL (AL) =
The concentration of a contaminant which, if
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements
that a water system must follow.

RESIDENTIAL TAPS = household faucets used for
lead and copper sampling
SECONDARY STANDARDS = secondary
MCLs are set to protect the aesthetics of drinking
water
SODIUM = refers to the salt present in the water
and is generally naturally occurring.

TREATMENT TECHNIQUE (TT) = A required process
intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS = Unregulated
contaminant monitoring helps EPA and SWRCB to
determine where certain contaminants occur and
whether the contaminants need to be regulated.

Every four years, the EPA updates the list of
unregulated contaminants to monitor.
uS/cm = microSiemens per centimeter
Notes
(1) Natural fluoride in the Hetch Hetchy water was
ND. The fluoride level in raw water ranged from ND
to 0.8 ppm with an average of 0.2 ppm.
(2) Aluminum also has a primary MCL of 1,000 ppb.
(3) The detected chlorate in the treated water is a
degradation product of sodium hypochlorite used
by the San Francisco Regional Water System for
water disinfection.
(4) The range and average values of the total
organic carbon were from operational monitoring
results at Tesla Treatment Facilities.
(5) The MCL was changed to E. coli starting on July
1, 2021 when the State Revised Total Coliform Rule
became effective.
(6) 2018 sampling result for John Sutter Elementary
was 26ppb. Repeat sampling following plumbing
repairs was non-detect for lead.

City of Santa Clara
Water Quality Table
All Santa Clara
water sources
meet or exceed
Federal and
State standards.

Santa Clara Drinking Water Sources
Naturally Clean Tap
Water Sources
Together, they provide an average of 15 million gallons of water per day to Santa Clara. Valley Water serves primarily the south-west portion of the City. SFPUC water typically serves the area north of Highway 101. The remaining water is pumped from the City’s system of 20 active wells serving the rest of Santa Clara. The map shows the general areas served by each source.

SECONDARY STANDARDS are qualities such as
color, taste and odor, specifying limits for
substances that may affect consumer acceptance of
the water.

For information, guidance and potential health effects
in English and Spanish, call:

Share this Water Quality Report with all people who
drink City tap water, especially if they may not have
received this notice directly.

This Water Quality Report is available online at
SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterQualityReport. Post it
in a public place or distribute paper copies by
hand or mail.

Replacement mains were up-sized to a standard 8-inch
size and replaced with new zinc-coated, ductile iron
mains. The replacement water mains improve water
quality and system resilience.

The rehabilitation included replacement of the
existing pumps and motors, plus well cleaning and
redevelopment. Well 23 had been inactive since 2017.

All three wells are currently in service.

Water & Sewer Utilities’ Compliance Division
administers the City’s cross-connection
control program. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/
CrossConnectionControl for information.

Santa Clara's three water sources are used interchangeably or blended:

1. Protected groundwater wells within the City

2. Local reservoirs, rivers feeding the Sacramento Delta and others from Valley Water, our local water wholesaler

3. Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains via the
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Hetch Hetchy System
Flushing water mains provides the highest water quality possible.

Treatment includes:
• Filtration with anthracite coal and sand
• Disinfection using chlorine and chloramine
Visit the City’s Water Quality webpage for more information:

We encourage the public to
hydrate locally. Take full, cost-
effective advantage of California-
sourced drinking water, pure and
uncompromised by questionable plastic
packaging.

UNIT MCL State PHG/
Fed MCLG
Analysis for

CSC WELL WATER
Analysis for

VALLEY WATER
Analysis for
SFPUC Common Sources
Range Average Range Average Range Average
Primary Standards For Source Water Sampling [highest running average]

MICROBIOLOGICAL
Giardia lamblia cyst/L TT 0 NA NA NA NA 0 - 0.06 0.02 naturally present in environment

RADIOACTIVITY
Gross Alpha pCi/L 15 (0) NA NA 3.3 3.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits Uranium pCi/L 20 0.43 NA NA 1.3 1.3 ND ND erosion of natural deposits

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND
Toluene PPB 150 150 ND - 4.3 0.6 ND ND ND ND petroleum or chemical discharges Secondary Standards: Consumer Acceptance Contaminent Levels Aluminum (2) PPB 200 600 ND - 90 ND ND ND ND - 59 ND
erosion of natural deposits; some surface water
treatment residue
Chloride PPM 500 NA 19 - 55 39 47 - 53 50 < 3 - 9.9 4.9 runoff/natural deposit leaching/seawater Color UNITS 15 NA ND - 10 3 ND - 3 2 < 5 < 5 naturally occuring organic material Iron PPB 300 NA ND- 280 130 < 20 < 20 < 6 - 41 20 natural deposit leaching/industrial wastes Odor UNITS 3 NA ND - 1 ND 1.4 - 2.0 1.6 ND ND naturally occuring organic material Manganese PPB 50 NA ND - 23 5 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 2 - 2.7 < 2 natural deposit leaching Specific Conductance uS/cm 1600 NA 465 - 718 591 414 - 522 466 31- 317 174 substances that form ions when in water/
seawater intrusion
Sulfate PPM 500 NA 25 - 58 42 57 - 80 66 1 - 41 21 runoff/natural deposit leaching/industrial wastes Total Dissolved Solids PPM 1000 NA 272 - 428 356 238 - 298 268 24 - 169 97 runoff/natural deposit leaching Turbidity NTU 5 NA 0.12 - 5.8 1.06 0.02 - 0.30 0.04 0.1 - 0.4 0.2 soil runoff Consumer Information
pH UNITS NS NS 7.6 - 7.8 7.7 7.5 - 8.0 7.7 NA NA
Alkalinity (as CaCO 3) PPM NS NS 159 - 246 202 68 - 87 77 7.4 - 120 56 Bicarbonate Alkalinity (as HCO 3) PPM NS NS NA NA 82 - 106 94 ND ND Boron PPB NS NS NA NA 114- 151 133 23 - 65 44
Calcium (as Ca) PPM NS NS 45 - 88 67 19 - 28 23 3.2 - 28 15 Chlorate (3) PPB NS NS NA NA NA NA 24 - 597 134
Hardness PPM NS NS 170 - 330 246 93 - 133 111 8.4 - 106 57 Lithium PPB NS NS NA NA NA NA < 2 - 4 2
Magnesium PPM NS NS 14 - 27 20 11-16 13 0.2 - 9.5 4.9
Phosphate PPM NS NS NA NA 0.96 - 1.16 1.07 ND ND
Potassium PPM NS NS 1 - 1.4 1.2 2.6 - 3.3 3.0 ND ND
Silica PPM NS NS NA NA 11 - 12 12 4.9 - 9.9 7.4
Sodium PPM NS NS 22 - 44 32 45 - 49 47 3.1 - 24 13
Temperature °C NS NS 9.9 - 35.8 19.3 13.9 - 21.6 18 NA NA Total Organic Carbon (4) PPM NS NS NA NA 1.2 - 2.0 1.6 1.1 - 1.8 1.5 Vanadium PPB NS NS NA NA 1 - 2 2 NA NA
Primary Standards As Measured In City Of Santa Clara Distribution System UNITS MCL State MCL Range Average Common Sources