Valley Water Board commends City of Santa Clara for leadership in water efficiency

December 11, 2025

The Board of Directors and City of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor

On November 25, 2025, the Valley Water Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution honoring the City of Santa Clara for its exemplary leadership in advancing sustainable water management practices.

The resolution recognizes Santa Clara as the first city in Santa Clara County to adopt measures from the Model Water Efficient New Development Ordinance (MWENDO). Developed by Valley Water, the County of Santa Clara, local cities, and community partners. MWENDO’s purpose is to promote water efficiency, conserve resources, and strengthen long-term regional water reliability.

By adopting MWENDO measures, the City of Santa Clara has:

Advanced efficient water use in new developments
Expanded opportunities for recycled and graywater reuse
Promoted sustainable landscape design
Reduced water loss through forward-thinking conservation practices

These actions directly support regional efforts to mitigate drought impacts, adapt to climate change, and responsibly manage limited water supplies. Santa Clara’s leadership sets a strong example for other local governments, demonstrating how thoughtful policy can drive climate resilience, resource conservation, and sustainable community development.

Valley Water’s Board commended the City for its long-standing collaboration and commitment to joint initiatives that enhance water reliability and innovation across the region.

“The City of Santa Clara’s adoption of MWENDO measures represents a significant milestone in regional water conservation efforts,” said Tony Estremera, Chair of the Valley Water Board of Directors. “We deeply value the City’s partnership and leadership in promoting shared sustainability goals.”

“We are proud to be the first city in Santa Clara County to adopt the MWENDO measures ordinance. In one of California’s most populated and drought-prone regions, it isn’t just good policy, it’s essential to our future,” said City of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor. “We know that no single agency can tackle the climate crisis alone. Progress requires partnership and the kind of unified approach that Valley Water champions every day”.

The Board’s resolution reflects Valley Water’s ongoing commitment to building strong partnerships with local governments and communities to ensure a resilient water future for Santa Clara County.

Photo information

Front row (L-R): Valley Water Chair Tony Estremera; City of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor.

Back row (L-R): Valley Water Board Members John Varela, Nai Hsueh, Shiloh Ballard, Richard Santos, Jim Beall, Rebecca Eisenberg.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. Valley Water effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 280 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.