Water Waste
The District has established the following regulations for the efficient use of water use and to prevent water waste:
General
- Indiscriminate running of water or washing with water that is wasteful and without reasonable purpose.
- Escape of water through leaks, breaks, or malfunctions within the water user’s plumbing, irrigation or distribution system for any length of time, within which such break or leak should reasonably have been discovered and corrected.
- Watering during a publicly declared drought in a manner that is not compliant with restrictions.
Landscaping, Irrigation & Water Features
- Watering of any plant material or landscape in a manner or to an extent that allows excess water to run off from the area being watered.
- Use of potable water by spray heads to irrigate any plant material or landscape between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm.
- Irrigation during rainfall.
- Ornamental water features (such as waterfalls, fountains, and ponds) that do not re-circulate water and do not have an impermeable liner.
- Irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscaping on public street medians.
- Irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulation or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission.
Exterior Washing and Dust Control
- Washing or rinsing of any hard or paved surfaces except when necessary for safety or sanitary reasons and when a broom or other waterless device will not suffice. If necessary for the above reasons, washing may only be done with a small container for detergent, and a) a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, b) a pressure washer, c) a low-volume, high-pressure water efficient water broom, or d) a cleaning machine equipped to recycle the water used.
- Washing of any vehicle (e.g. cars, boats, RVs), mobiles homes or other building exteriors, may only be done with a minimum of detergent, and a) a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, b) a pressure washer, c) a low-volume high-pressure water-efficient water broom, or d) a cleaning machine equipped to recycle the water used. Soapy water may not enter curb gutters or storm drains.
- Use of potable water for dust control or soil compaction purposes during construction activities when there is a source of recycled water available for such use.
- Use of water from any fire hydrant unless specifically authorized by permit from the District or by regularly constituted fire protection agencies for fire suppression purposes.
Food Establishment and Commercial Lodging Establishments
- Bars, cafeterias and restaurants serve tap water only upon request.
- Hotels and other commercial lodging establishments provide guests with an option to reuse towels and linens and display signage on how to opt out of linen service.
Enforcement
- Any customer who fails to comply with the prohibited water uses and activities may be subject to enforcement described in Policy P500-15-1 Water Waste
- Enforce District Policy on Water Waste (P500-15-1)
Statewide Emergency Drought Restrictions
- Non-functional turf (grass) irrigation ban: Commercial, Institutional and Homeowner's Associations are required to stop all irrigations of non-functional turf (turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for recreation or community events).
All Complaints of water waste will be investigated and may be subject to enforcement if not corrected in a timely manner.
