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CITYWIDE TURF REDUCTION STUDY <br />3 / 47 CITY OF PLEASANTON © Copyrighted 2024 Callander Associates <br /> Landscape Architecture, Inc. <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Introduction <br />Warmer temperatures, estimated decreased snow pack and changes to seasonal precipitation <br />patterns makes California and the City of Pleasanton particularly vulnerable to future water <br />shortages. Additionally, the City of Pleasanton has groundwater contaminated by PFAS, which <br />places further restrictions on the City’s water supply and the state of California is increasingly <br />adopting regulations to minimize unnecessary water use, including the recently passed Assembly <br />Bill (AB) 1572. AB 1572 which was signed into law in 2023, prohibits the use of potable water <br />to irrigate non-functional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, properties <br />of homeowner’s associations, common interest developments, and community service <br />organizations. The new restrictions will go into effect over the next three to four years and apply to <br />all properties with the exception of cemeteries and single-family residences. <br />In response to climate change challenges, the City of Pleasanton adopted a Climate Action Plan <br />in 2022 which aims to enhance local environmental sustainability and improve resilience and <br />vulnerability to climate change, highlighting water uncertainty as a potential threat that will affect <br />the City. <br />Reducing the amount of landscape irrigation, specifically in non-functional and non-recreational <br />turf areas, is seen as one area to achieve water savings and meet the City’s climate change <br />goals. ‘Non-Functional Turf’ can be defined as turf areas that are solely ornamental, receive no <br />regular use and exist purely for decorative purposes. ‘Non-Recreational Turf’ can be defined as <br />turf that provides a space for human or animal function, but receives irregular use and serves <br />minimal recreational purpose. <br />To lead by example, the City is evaluating the potential to reduce water use at its own facilities, <br />such as City parks and other civic properties. The City hired Callander Associates Landscape <br />Architecture, Inc. (CALA) to prepare a study that summarizes the findings from each of the goals <br />noted below. <br />1.Identify areas within City-owned parks containing “non-functional and <br />non-recreational” turf that are candidates for removal and conversion to either <br />mulch or drought-tolerant planting. <br />2.Quantify the potential water savings in gallons per year. <br />3.Quantify the construction costs of converting former turf areas into either mulch <br />or drought-tolerant planting. <br />Page 11 of 58