1 Sebastopol Water Upgrades Save
Annual Report 2022
Accomplishments
The City of Sebastopol Water Upgrades Save
program launched on May 24, 2021.
Single Family — Exceeded Annual Goal
The annual goal is to install projects for
1 percent of residential water customers.
Of Sebastopol’s 2,125 single-family water
customers 45 completed projects since launch
comprising 2 percent of single-family
customers, and 1.6 percent of all single family
and multifamily units.
Motivated Customers
Customers participated because they wanted to
decrease their water use, lower their utility costs
and combat the drought.
High Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction survey results show high
ratings across a range of program services.
Satisfaction with showerhead performance is
highly influenced by personal preference. In
response to early customer feedback, the
program added more showerhead options and
replaced the initial products.
Multifamily Services
When the program launched in May 2021
multifamily projects were subject to a prevailing
wage requirement under State regulations
designed for large public projects. The program
applied for a waiver, which was granted on
October 4, 2021.
While the waiver was being processed, the
program began talks with multifamily property
owners. One multifamily complex is currently
expected to install projects in Q3 2022.
2 Program Activities
Marketing and Outreach
Single family water customers received a
co-branded invitation from the City of
Sebastopol on four occasions since launch.
The invitation presents the program offer,
benefits, and enrollment process with contact
information.
BayREN Website. The BayREN website features
the Water Upgrades Save customer video and
enrollment access.
waterupgradessave.org
Sebastopol Website. Working with City staff,
the program provided content and graphics to
include on the City website, as well as program
information for the City newsletter.
Customer Interest
As of May 2022, 155 customers filled out the
online enrollment app, 130 completed an onsite
assessment, and 45 single-family customers
completed a water efficiency project.
New Offers
The program is adding two new indoor
upgrades:
Aqua Mizer — This product is an affordable
toilet retrofit unit that saves water, prevents
toilet leaks, and protects against toilet tank
floods.
Hot water recirculation pump —
When the hot tap is opened the pump
recirculates standing cold water in the pipes
back to the water heater until the hot water
arrives at the faucet.
Outdoor offer. Aligning with State water
conservation goals, the program is nearing
completion of an outdoor offer to encourage
replacing turf with a drought tolerant
landscape.
Commercial offer. Also in development is a
small/medium business food service offer
focusing on water-intense restaurant fixture
upgrades.
Leak Detection offer. Lead detection and repair
are a high State priority. The program is
researching the feasibility of a lead detection/
repair offer.
For more information, contact Chris Cone, Program
Manager, (707) 413-7283, [email protected]
Sebastopol Council member Diana Rich, a program
participant, with Rigo Bravo, Program Contractor with
Bottom Line Utility Solutions, after project install.