Water
Thousand Oaks relies entirely on imported water, and the reliability of that supply is closely linked to snowpack and precipitation in the Sierra Nevada. As climate conditions change, prolonged drought, snowmelt, and precipitation patterns place pressure on regional water supplies. Although these conditions cannot be controlled, the City has taken meaningful action. Thousand Oaks has already reduced community water use by more than 20% over the past several decades.
Status summary
California's prolonged drought has underscored the urgency of transitioning away from water-intensive ornamental turf. In 2022, the City enacted restrictions prohibiting irrigation of non-functional or decorative turf at commercial properties, accelerating the shift toward climate-appropriate, native plantings. This action reduced outdoor water demand and established a clear local standard: landscapes in Thousand Oaks should be designed for our actual climate conditions.
Water conservation also carries climate benefits. Reducing imported water use decreases the energy required to convey, treat, and distribute that water — and with it, associated greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
Project Highlight
During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the City's Public Works Department completed relandscaping of the turfed center medians along Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Duesenberg Drive and Via Colinas. The project replaced irrigated turf with native, drought-tolerant plants and trees selected for their low water needs, visual character, and suitability to the local climate.
What’s Next
- The next phase of the City's median conversion program will focus on center medians along Westlake Boulevard, from Thousand Oaks Boulevard to Allyson Street. Like the Thousand Oaks Boulevard project, these medians are currently planted with turf and will be converted to native, drought-tolerant landscaping.
- The City's water agency is notifying commercial property owners and HOAs that may have grass or turf on their property of new verification requirements. Property owners must submit documentation showing that turf areas are regularly used for recreation, civic, or community purposes to qualify for a waiver. A $306 fee applies, and Sustainability staff will conduct site visits to confirm that proposed locations meet the functional turf definitions in the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code.
- The City will continue outreach to residents and property managers about resources available for turf replacement, including coordination with regional programs that may offer rebates or technical assistance to help transition to climate-appropriate landscapes.
GoalWA1: Reduce Community Water Use
Most of Thousand Oaks' water travels 500 miles from Northern California, requiring significant energy to pump, treat, and heat it. Since over half of that water goes toward outdoor irrigation, switching to native, climate-appropriate landscaping is one of the easiest ways residents can reduce both water use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Select the drop-down under each measure to view the status.