Water: Key Things to Know
June 1, 2026 · Devon & the Esmeralda team
There have been questions & rumors about Esmeralda's impact on Cloverdale's water, so we thought it was a good opportunity to provide a few clarifications.
"It will draw groundwater from on-site wells."
The project will not draw groundwater from the site.
Esmeralda will join Cloverdale's potable water system. Future residents will become regular rate-paying customers.
"It will reduce water available for existing Cloverdalians."
Esmeralda will improve Cloverdale's water security.
Esmeralda will bolster Cloverdale's water resiliency by:
- Adding 1M gallons of new water storage to Cloverdale's system.
- Helping replenish the alluvial aquifer with new bioswales & wetlands.
- Increasing the legal water allocation for Cloverdale in a drought curtailment.
During state-mandated drought curtailments (like in 2021), water access rights are allocated on a per person basis, so adding residents increases the total water allocation for the City.
"It will drive up Cloverdalians’ water bills."
If anything, Esmeralda may help reduce water bills for existing rate payers.
- The majority of the Water Department's costs are fixed.
- Adding new customers spreads fixed costs over more ratepayers, so each user will pay comparably less than they would have to otherwise.
"The WSA did not take the Potter Valley Dam decommissioning into account."
The WSA did take the Potter Valley Dam decommissioning into account.
WSA = Water Supply Assessment
"The WSA did not take other developments in town into account."
The WSA assumed a population of ~14,000, far above Cloverdale's current population of ~8,900.
This assumption is conservative, reflecting much more growth than is likely to occur in the near future.
"Existing Cloverdalians will pay for the new water infrastructure."
Esmeralda will pay 100% of the costs for infrastructure associated with the project.
You can find a lot more detail on this topic & beyond in the FAQ.
— Devon & the Esmeralda team