Sacramento, CA – Conserving water in this historic drought and reducing energy use across the state are among the top priorities for State Senator Mike McGuire. 

As part of his ongoing effort to achieve these goals, Senator McGuire has announced that the city of Santa Rosa is slated to receive nearly $2.5 million from a state grant for a water efficient fixture direct-install program.

Santa Rosa was one of 15 cities or agencies that were awarded $19 million in grant funding under the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program, which uses proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade revenues – a state program to fight climate change by limiting the amount of greenhouse gases that large polluters can put into the atmosphere.

“During this historic drought, it is more important than ever to assist our communities in making small changes that have big impacts on reducing our water and energy use,” Senator McGuire said.

The grant will fund an Efficient Fixtures Direct Installation Program. Santa Rosa Water will purchase WaterSense fixtures and contract with qualified plumbers to directly install (at no cost to customers) 4,399 residential fixture packages and 250 commercial pre‐rinse spray valves. The residential fixture package will include one toilet, one bathroom faucet aerator, one kitchen faucet aerator, and one showerhead for single‐family or multi‐family residences that are served by Santa Rosa Water and have toilets rated at 1.6 gallons per flush or higher. Commercial fixture installations will include pre‐rinse spray valves for restaurants and commercial kitchens with valves that flow at 1.6 gallons per minute or higher.

As draft funding recommendations, the grant proposals will be open for a 30-day public comment period before being approved by the Department of Water Resources. In all, the 15 projects are estimated to save a total of 110,000 acre-feet and prevent the release of approximately 164,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.

Also included in the grant funding package is a “Reduce the Use” program in Hidden Valley Lake (Lake County). The Community Services Department will receive $189,601 for the installation of ultra-efficient toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators.

Once approved, these will be the first grants from the Department of Water Resources using proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade program for combating climate change. Through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the state is investing in projects that reduce carbon pollution while also creating jobs, improving air quality and providing other benefits, such as energy and water savings.