Morgan Hill Water Conservation Agreement
Summary
SCH Number
2025081260
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Document Title
Morgan Hill Water Conservation Agreement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/28/2025
Document Description
The Landscape Rebate Program provides conversion rebates to the owners of residential properties for the replacement of approved high water-using landscape (i.e., irrigated turf or functional swimming pools) with low water-use plants, mulch, and permeable hardscape. The Graywater Rebate Program provides rebates for owners of eligible residential properties to install "laundry-to-landscape" graywater systems. These laundry-to-landscape graywater systems direct laundry water to be used for the irrigation of appropriate residential landscaping such as decorative and drought-tolerant plants and medium to high water-use shrubs, trees, and vines. These systems are required to be installed to State and local plumbing code requirements. The WET Rebate Program is designed to help commercial, industrial, institutional facilities, and multi-family residential complexes implement equipment changes that reduce water usage. Examples of equipment eligible for the program include:
• Onsite water reuse
• Treated wastewater used again at the facility
• Untreated process water used for a different purpose
• Cooling tower efficiency upgrades
• Air-cooled chillers
• Ozone laundry retrofits
• Water softeners
• Water-saving ice machines
• Any other equipment that results in measurable water savings, including customized equipment
Contact Information
Name
Michael Martin
Agency Name
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Job Title
Senior Water Resources Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Morgan Hill
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
City of Morgan Hill
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Categorical Exemptions [§15301, Existing Facilities; §15304, Minor Alternations to Land]
Reasons for Exemption
AMI implementation primarily involves the collection and reporting of data from water meters which do not result in an impact to the environment. To the extent that AMI devices may be installed or replaced under the program it would involve minor grading to expose the water meter. No expansion of uses would be included in the AMI implementation. This activity is covered by the Class 1 and Class 4 CEs.
The Landscape Rebate Program involves the replacement of existing conventional landscaping with water efficient landscaping consistent with the Class 4 CE. No healthy, mature, scenic trees would be removed.
The Graywater Rebate Program results in minor plumbing changes at existing residential properties in addition to minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored to extend irrigation lines. No expansion of uses would be included in the Graywater Rebate Program. All work must be done to applicable building codes, and no removal of trees or mature landscaping is permitted. These activities are consistent with the Class 1 and Class 4 CEs
The WET Rebate Program involves the replacement of water using equipment and appliances at existing commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family structures. No expansion of uses would be included in the WET Rebate Program. These types of minor alternations of existing uses are covered by the Class 1 CE.
The activities called out in the Agreement are all meet the requirements of CEQA Guidelines §15301 and/or §15304 and are eligible for the Exemptions. The Agreement does not include or allow any factors that would preempt the Project’s eligibility per CEQA Guidelines §15300.2.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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