Technical Strategies - Water

Strategies and solutions for water conservation, planning and management

Water conservation is a critical part of water planning and management. Challenges such as climate change, drought, and pollution jeopardize the security of urban communities nationwide, underscoring the importance of accessing clean water. The Oakland EcoBlock project is committed to tackling the water challenges of today, highlighting innovative strategies and crafting creative solutions that will reshape the ways in which we use, conserve, and think about water in the years to come.

Strategies Implemented for the Oakland EcoBlock
Additional Strategies Considered
Lessons Learned
Sources and Resources

Strategies Implemented for the Oakland EcoBlock

Laundry-to-Landscape Greywater Irrigation System

In November 2021, the EcoBlock team worked with Greywater Action to organize a laundry-to-landscape installation workshop on the block. Over the course of four hours, eleven homeowners, renters, and team members installed the system at one of the participating properties. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the workshop proved to not only be an educational experience for the residents, but was a meaningful community-building opportunity as well.

Two instructors in masks teaching a group of masked people sitting on benches in a backyard about the basics of greywater and laundry-to-landscape systems. — Representatives from Greywater Action explained the basics of greywater and gave instructions on how to install the laundry-to-landscape system. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

A person crouched next to a mulch basin, installing piping for a laundry-to-landscape system. — Most of the team was the “muscle,” digging up mulch basins around the backyard and installing the main and branch piping. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

A person hooking up piping from a washing machine and running it to the backyard. — Other workshop participants worked inside the home to install the valves, connection, and pipes to hook up the washing machine. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

What is Laundry-to-Landscape?

A laundry-to-landscape greywater irrigation system captures greywater from the discharge hose of your washing machine, enabling you to reuse the water without altering the existing plumbing in your home. In this system, the hose leaving the washing machine is attached to a valve that allows for easy switching between the greywater system and the sewer. It is important to be able to switch to the sewer anytime you don’t want to send the water outside, for example if you’re using bleach, which could harm plants, or if the soil is saturated during the rainy season. The greywater is distributed through a 1-inch irrigation line with outlets directing water to specific plants (see figure below). This system is low-cost, easy to install, and very flexible if you need to make future changes to your home or landscaping.

diagram of a laundry-to-landscape system — *Laundry-to-landscape overview. Source: Clean Water Components and SF Water.*

End-of-Block Stormwater Bioretention Facility

A core feature of the Oakland EcoBlock’s water strategy is an end-of-block stormwater bioretention facility that consists of a planting area; a new curb, gutter, and driveway; sidewalk replacement; and a painted curb. With parking being a premium on the block, the facility includes two parking spots.

Sherwood Design Engineers worked with the City of Oakland to develop the facility design, which was unanimously approved by the EcoBlock community. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

The project removed ~250 square feet of asphalt roadway and replaced ~35 linear feet of curb with landscaping and a ~50 square foot bioretention facility. The facility includes a reused catch basin, ~10 feet of perforated pipes, and the restoration of ~200 square feet of sidewalk and 50 square feet of driveway. Temporary erosion control measures and ~40 linear feet of new curb and gutter were also installed.

Stormwater Facility_Concrete Demolition_Peffer

New concrete and landscaping in progress on stormwater bioretention facility.

Workers put finishing touches on nearly complete bioretention facility.

Construction timelapse of the stormwater facility. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

The facility provides several benefits related to the widespread adoption of stormwater systems that can improve Sausal Creek’s health, including:

Treating stormwater runoff through engineered bioretention soils; below-grade gravel storage; and the inﬁltration and evapotranspiration qualities of native plantings before it discharges into the adjacent creek
Slowing and reducing stormwater peak flows running toward the creek, which in turn reduces erosion, sedimentation, and pollutantsat the outfall, where the storm drain discharges into the creek
Providing a first line of defense against flooding and environmental hazards associated with local rain events

Previously, all the stormwater on the EcoBlock site was collected and conveyed to Sausal Creek through a point-source stormwater outlet without any prior stormwater treatment or ﬁltration. The impacts of this resulted in extensive erosion on the creek banks at the outfall and increased pollutants reaching Sausal Creek, which is listed as a 303(d) Impaired Water Body by the state of California due to trash pollutants. These impacts resulted in degrading water quality for all communities and wildlife downstream from the creek and in the San Francisco Bay.

In order to select a winning design for the block, the team developed a “vote-by-mutual-consent” decision-making process and asked all property owners—participating and non-participating—to choose up to three of the five potential designs. Each voting member’s first choice earned three points, the second choice earned two points, and the third choice earned one point. Each member was required to vote for at least one option but did not have to select three; they were also able to object to any of the options but had to include a reason for doing so. The design with the most points and no unresolved objections would be selected. Fourteen of the 22 property owners participated in the month-long voting process and unanimously ranked the final design as their first choice.

The end of the block overlooking Sausal Creek, which posed erosion and flooding concerns downstream due to the presence of development. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

Stormwater Monitoring and Data Collection

To better understand the impact of the facility on the block, the team is partnering with local organizations—including the Friends of Sausal Creek—that already have a stormwater monitoring program in place. As part of this effort, the EcoBlock team received a HI98194 multiparameter water quality device, which the Friends of Sausal Creek also use to obtain monthly water quality measurements throughout the creek. This allows the data from the EcoBlock project and the Friends of Sausal Creek to be sharable for additional analysis.

Close-up of an end-of-block stormwater bioretention facility. — The blue arrows show the stormwater entry points, located at curb cuts on the left, middle, and right sides of the facility. The red circle marks the initial observation well (metal disk in gutter), the place to insert a probe to test water quality pre-treatment; the green circle denotes the post-treatment observation well, where one can measure water quality post-treatment. The purple circle outlines the landscape air drainage/clean out portal. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

The team has purchased and installed a stormwater quality monitoring sensor to determine urban pollutant concentrations in the bioretention facility over the next year. The sensor measures pH, total dissolved solids, salinity, and other metrics, taking measurements at two sampling port locations to identify differences between pre- and post-treatment values.

Urban Greening

The Oakland EcoBlock team leveraged urban greening techniques—removing impervious pavement along the block where possible and replacing it with native planting and street trees—to reduce the amount of pollutants and debris reaching the bioretention facility.

These improvements provide co-beneﬁts, including:

Aesthetic and health benefits
Provides cooling via evaporation from vegetation and shading of pavement surfaces that absorb and radiate heat (commonly known as the “urban heat island effect”)
Improves water quality by filtering urban runoff pollutants through vegetation and soil (also known as “biofiltration”)
Slows the rate of stormwater runoff before it reaches the adjacent creek, mitigating erosion and ﬂooding concerns downstream

Pavement Removal

The project removed sidewalk and asphalt throughout the block and replaced the curbside regions with uncompacted landscaping soil.

Existing, demolished, and mulched curbside region on the north side of the block. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

Existing, demolished, and mulched curbside region on the south side of the block. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

Native, Drought-Tolerant Planting

Bioretention Facility Planting

In November 2024, the EcoBlock team held a community planting workshop for the stormwater bioretention facility. Twenty-one EcoBlock neighbors and team members gathered to plant around 50 local, drought-tolerant grass and shrub seedlings acquired from the Friends of Sausal Creek.

The stormwater facility with newly planted Catalina currant, foothill sedge, and California fescue seedlings. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

Sidewalk Planting and Mulching

The EcoBlock team worked with each participating homeowner to select plants or trees for their property. To help with this process, Sherwood Design Engineers reviewed multiple tree species and developed an EcoBlock Tree Guide with a curated list of fourteen options for the block. These trees are well-suited for the neighborhood as they have relatively low water usage and high climate resiliency.

Excerpt from the EcoBlock Tree Guide listing fourteen different tree species. — *Recommendations from the EcoBlock Tree Guide. Credit: Sherwood Design Engineers*

In January 2025, the team organized a second community planting workshop for the sidewalk strips, planting six trees (two Saratoga Laurels, two Toyons, and two flowering plums) along the block. In March 2025, the team distributed nine cubic yards of mulch in the newly uncovered and existing sidewalk strips, as well as in the stormwater bioretention facility.

EcoBlock residents and team members plant trees and distribute mulch along the block. Credit: Oakland EcoBlock

Native Planting Design Guidelines

Designing for rainwater capture through native, drought-tolerant planting and efficient irrigation systems is an effective way to lower outdoor water use. Residents may consider replacing private property (lawns and yards)—which require substantial amounts of water and fertilizer—with “California-friendly” plants that minimize maintenance and irrigation, restore soil health, attracts local pollinators and wildlife, and enhance the aesthetic beauty of the natural landscape.

Residents should consider the following planting design fundamentals to cultivate beautiful and sustainable native landscapes:

Direct water from downspouts and impermeable surfaces, such as concrete walkways or driveways, to swales, the landscape, or other permeable areas to keep water on-site and benefit your plants.
Plant in the fall or during the rainy season to take advantage of the rainfall for establishing your plants and minimizing your irrigation needs.
Group plants with similar water, sun, and soil needs. If you plan to use your irrigation system, be sure that plants with the same water needs are in the same irrigation zones.
Space plants based on their mature size for growth. This will help prevent an “overgrown” look, and minimize water and maintenance needs.
Build healthy soils to support healthy plants. Avoid using synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Allow leaf litter to stay in place to promote nutrient cycling.

Additional Strategies Considered

While the team tried to prioritize the most effective strategies for the Oakland EcoBlock, the strategies below represent additional possibilities for future projects, depending on available resources and project context.

Water-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

As part of the in-home retrofits, the team explored installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures (e.g. dishwashers, clothes washers, showerheads, toilets, bathroom and kitchen faucets) that meet or exceed current industry standards. One metric is the WaterSense label, which follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s criteria for water-efficient performance and specifications and certifies products that save at least 20% more water than market competitors. The California Energy Commission (CEC) also sets minimum appliance efficiency standards under Title 20, ensuring consumer products comply with energy and water conservation requirements at both the state and federal levels. The research team did not implement this strategy due to funding constraints.

Rain Gardens & Rain Barrels

The team looked into providing guidance for residents to construct rain gardens at their properties. A rain garden is a shallow depression with native shrubs, perennials, and flowers that collects and temporarily holds rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways and walkways. Compared to a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the ground, effectively filtering pollutants and reducing runoff.

Rain Garden Design Guidelines

In the design of a rain garden, typically six to twelve inches of soil is removed and altered with tillage, compost, and sand to increase water infiltration. It is recommended to obtain a soil test as the type of alteration to the soil depends on the current soil type.

Rain gardens are generally constructed on the downside of a slope on one’s property and collect rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces. Once water collects in the rain garden, infiltration may take up to 48 hours after a major rainfall. Rain gardens also incorporate native vegetation; therefore, no fertilizer is needed, and after the first year, maintenance is usually minimal.

The team also researched the use of rain barrels to collect rainwater, improve rain garden performance, and supplement the residents’ existing water supply. These systems did not create a significant impact given the limited rainfall in Oakland; however, they may make a significant impact to reduce potable water usage for other communities.

Home Water Monitoring System

The team considered distributing and installing a home water monitoring system, such as the Flume Smart Home Water Monitors, for interested residents. The system would provide residents with a detailed breakdown of their water use, allowing them to make informed choices about their future consumption.

Lessons Learned

Technical:

Water and energy differ substantially.
- There are claims on essentially all of California’s water resources; there is (at least theoretically) plenty of unclaimed energy.
- The relevant time scales for water (months to years) are significantly longer than those for energy (minutes to days). This has significant implications with regards to the need for, and value of, storage.
- While payback periods can be long, continued efforts to lower water use are worthwhile. Efficiency programs should focus on reaching consumers when they are planning to make changes to their home and where water conservation is one of multiple benefits.
Water interventions can have substantial indirect, and out of neighborhood, effects.
- Hot water system choices can impact energy decisions.
- Rainwater harvesting can lower overall water demand and be an important component of stormwater management efforts.
- Low impact development (LID) stormwater efforts can improve local stream hydrology.
- Urban water conservation can decrease sewer flows. Increases in pollutant concentrations may impact treatment operations.
- Decentralized, block scale stormwater capture can help reduce the impacts of flooding downstream while improving water quality in natural systems.
- The high costs for piping and storage make most non-potable water (re)use efforts infeasible at the neighborhood scale, especially for retrofits. The provision of piping and water treatment equipment, both within the household and within the public right-of-way, can be particularly expensive.

Internal:

Team structure can affect available project funding. Large institutional partners often require higher indirect costs that can impact the amount of funding allocated toward “on-the-ground” work, especially for construction projects. Selecting a more flexible management structure can help maximize direct project investment and improve overall efficiency.

External: Community Approach

Creative and proactive coordination is essential to securing community approval. Develop mutual consent by building understanding and design with co-benefits in mind. Direct community feedback, discussion, and voting played a significant role in shaping the final project design.
Sustained community outreach and engagement is critical in all stages of a project: design, funding, and implementation.
- Consistent and transparent communication between the residents and project team led to the community’s unanimous approval of an end-of-block stormwater bioretention design.
- One-on-one conversations, especially with those most impacted by the project, create trust and comfort.
- Building trust and long-lasting relationships with the community streamlines the communication process. For example, when an area drain at the stormwater facility was damaged, the community reached out to the EcoBlock team to understand how to fix the part. The community was then able to perform the fix themselves with the team’s recommendation.

External: Municipal Approach

Proactive engagement with the City goes a long way.
- Early and consistent communication with jurisdictional authorities is critical, especially when a pilot project like the Oakland EcoBlock falls outside of standard review and approval processes. By engaging directly with the City, teams can develop alternative workflows, avoiding barriers associated with undefined administrative paths.
- Bringing representatives of multiple review agencies into the same conversation can help bridge system gaps and outline permit pathways. Carefully documenting these conversations is especially critical for non-standard projects of this nature, as staffing changes and overall project timeline can result in forgotten verbal agreements reached early in the process.
Securing municipal buy-in on multiple fronts is key.
- Champions within the City can help advance the project and expedite agency review when processes are delayed.
- Understanding the municipal priorities is essential to securing the buy-in of the City. Future versions of the EcoBlock may focus on municipal priorities (such as decarbonization, micromobility, affordable housing solutions, renewable energy generation and storage) to more effectively meet local needs and issues as well as speed up municipal support and permit approval concerns.
Cities can be effective partners in scaling stormwater retrofits.
- Working with municipalities to perform a watershed analysis can help identify sites that will create the most impact as well as those that will be the most constrained.
- In many cases, cities have the will and data required to implement decentralized stormwater solutions, but lack funding and staff to design, construct and maintain such facilities. Projects like the Oakland EcoBlock have the potential to provide the missing piece of the puzzle and bring stormwater best practices into communities at the block and neighborhood scales.

Sources and Resources

EBMUD Water Efficiency Resources:

My Water Report Portal
EBMUD offers a free portal to help customers track and manage water use. Benefits include leak alerts, use notifications, step-by-step instructions for fixing leaks, and a downloadable record of your water use history.

Flowmeter Rebate
The Flowmeter Pilot Rebate Program gives customers information about their water use, potential leaks, and incidences of high water use. This program offers rebates for a newer set of smart flowmeters that can monitor usage in near real-time and is open to all EBMUD customers. Learn about other EBMUD rebates and incentives.

WaterSmart Home Survey Kit
Illustrated step-by-step instructions take you through your home and landscape to locate leaks, measure flow rates, and evaluate water use.
The kit includes a 10-page pamphlet with a detachable worksheet, dye tablets for finding toilet leaks, and a flow-meter bag for measuring faucet and showerhead flows. Return a completed self-mailing worksheet to EBMUD and receive free water-saving devices such as showerheads, faucet aerators, or a low-flow garden hose nozzle.

Groundwater Foundation
The Groundwater Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides education and community-based action programs involving individuals, communities, and public and private entities in groundwater conservation and protection. The Foundation website covers current issues impacting groundwater and provides resources for groundwater resource management.

California Native Plant Society
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is an environmental non-profit organization that seeks to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats and increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. The CNPS website provides resources for selecting native, drought-tolerant plants, gardening and plant installation, and long-term maintenance.

San Francisco Graywater Design Manual for Outdoor Irrigation
A technical resource for homeowners and professionals who want to install greywater systems for outdoor irrigation in San Francisco, though much of it applies to other cities as well. This manual provides a detailed step-by-step process for designing and installing laundry-to-landscape systems, as well as the basic steps for designing and installing branched drain and pumped systems. The manual provides an overview of the benefits of greywater systems, when and where to install these different systems, permitting requirements (SF-specific), what products to use, and operation and maintenance requirements.

Greywater Action
A website with detailed information about greywater reuse, among other household water systems. Information is available in Spanish and Chinese.

Video: “How to Install a Graywater Irrigation System” (This Old House):