Above: Water Distribution Supervising Operator Dean adjusts a backflow connected to a building's fire line.

Livermore Municipal Water takes pride in providing you with safe and reliable water service—and in its dedicated employees! We're taking you behind the scenes to meet the workers who keep northern and eastern Livermore thriving.

This month we're highlighting Water Distribution Supervising Operator Dean. He began working for the City of Livermore in 1997 after finishing his service in the Navy as an Interior Communications Electrician stationed in Concord, Ca and Japan. Dean then moved to his wife's hometown of Livermore and a friend encouraged him to apply to work at the City's Water Resources Division.

Today, Dean manages Livermore Municipal Water's "Backflow Prevention Program". Commercial properties are required to have backflow devices, which ensure that water can only flow in one direction in the building's plumbing. This prevents anything from entering the pipe that could contaminate the water supply.

Dean makes sure that the 1,950 backflow devices in our service area are tested annually to confirm they are working properly. This program is just one way Livermore Municipal Water works to ensure your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state standards.

Livermore Municipal Water will be performing dead-end system flushing in our service area south of I-580 throughout the next few weeks. Flushing is a type of preventative maintenance designed to protect your drinking water quality.

While Livermore Municipal Water is flushing its water mains, your water service will not be interrupted. However, you may experience a temporary decrease in water pressure which could cause air or fine sediment in the water main to become disturbed. This can cause your water to become cloudy or discolored when you first turn on the tap. If this occurs, run the tap briefly until it clears.

Free Shower Buckets for Tri-Valley Residents

Don't let that "warm-up" water go down the drain! Livermore Municipal Water is now offering free shower buckets for its customers. These buckets can be used to collect cold water while waiting to take a bath or shower. This water can then be reused inside or outside your home.

Visit any of these locations during normal business hours to pick up your shower bucket.

Civic Center Library | 1188 S. Livermore Ave.

Rincon Library | 725 Rincon Ave.

Springtown Library | 998 Bluebell Dr.

Robert Livermore Community Center | 4444 East Ave.

Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one bucket per household.

The Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is an annual event featuring California native gardens throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. This year's tour will feature 50 residential gardens through online and in-person tours! This event is the perfect opportunity to learn how to transform your yard into a low-water, environmentally-friendly oasis.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many California households are struggling to afford the cost of water service. That's why Livermore Municipal Water has enrolled in the statewide Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.

This program will provide low-income households in our service area with a one-time payment to help pay their overdue water bills. If you are struggling to afford your Livermore Municipal Water service, visit csd.ca.gov/waterbill to see if you qualify for this program.