WATER CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS

Permanent water conservation requirements prohibit runoff and place limits on water usage and irrigation hours. A summary is provided below, or you may read the full ordinance or resolution for a complete list of requirements.

FAQs – Water Conservation Laws

Water Conservation Laws

On May 31, 2018 Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law two new bills that will require urban water providers throughout California to set new permanent water use targets for their service areas by 2022. Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg) and Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman) provide a framework for setting water use targets, as well as implementing and enforcing the new water use requirements. There are no immediate impacts to customers from these new laws. (Source: CalWEP.org)

Permanent Water Conservation Requirements – Prohibition Against Waste

Update Effective June 9, 2016

6.a.     Limits on Watering Hours:  Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day. Exceptions include hand-held watering cans, buckets, a hand-held hose equipped with a fully functioning, positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle. If necessary, and for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing it, one may operate an irrigation system during the otherwise restricted period. 

6.b.     No Excessive Water Flow or Runoff:  No person shall cause or allow watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive runoff from the property.

6.c.     No Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces:  Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, 天井, or alleys, is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a fully functioning, positive self-closing water shut-off device, a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine equipped to recycle any water used, or a low-volume high-pressure water broom.

6.d.     Fix Leaks, Breaks, and Malfunctions: Excessive use, 损失, or escape of water through breaks, 泄漏, or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing system must be corrected within 7 days of discovery or receiving notice from the District.

6.e.     Re-circulating Water Required for Water Fountains and Decorative Water Features:  Operating a water fountain or other decorative water feature that does not use re-circulated water is prohibited.

6.f.      Limits on Washing Vehicles:  Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including but not limited to any automobile, 卡车, 范, 公共汽车, motorcycle, boat or trailer, whether motorized or not is prohibited, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a fully functioning water shut-off nozzle.

6.h.     Commercial Lodging Establishments Must Provide Guests Option to Decline Daily Linen Services:  酒店, motels and other commercial lodging establishments must provide customers the option of not having towels and linen laundered daily. Commercial lodging establishments shall prominently display notice of this option in each bathroom using clear and easily understood language.

6.j.       Non-recirculating Commercial Car Wash Systems:  Installation of non-recirculating water systems is prohibited in new commercial conveyer car wash systems.

6.k.     Pre-Rinse Spray Valves: Restaurants are required to use water conserving pre-rinse wash spray valves.

10.d.   Irrigation During Rain 事件:  The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and up to forty-eight (48) hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited.

10.e.   Irrigated Medians:  The use of potable water to irrigate ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited.

10.g.   Drinking Water Served Upon Request Only:  Eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to a restaurant, 酒店, 咖啡馆, 咖啡馆teria, 酒吧, are prohibited from providing drinking water to any person unless expressly requested. 

Penalties:  Penalties for failure to comply with any provisions of the Program during effective period of Permanent Water Conservation Requirements are as follows:

11.a.1.            First Violation:  Mesa Water® will issue a written warning.

11.a.2.            Second Violation: A second violation within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months will receive a second written warning.

11.a.3.            Third Violation:  A third violation within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months will receive a third written warning and possibility of future actions including, but not limited to, water flow restriction and discontinued water service.

11.a.4.            Fourth and Subsequent Violations:  A fourth and any subsequent violation within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months may result in the installation of a water flow restrictor.

11.a.5.            Water Flow Restrictor:  In addition to written warnings, Mesa Water® may install a water flow restrictor device of approximately 1 gallon per minute capacity, or equivalent, after written notice of intent to install a flow restrictor, until the prohibited actions or practices have been deemed by the District to be satisfactorily discontinued or remedied, and for a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours.

11.a.6.            Discontinuing Service:  In addition to any fines, and the installation of a water flow restrictor, Mesa Water® may disconnect a customer’s water service for willful violations of mandatory restrictions in this Conservation Program.

11.c.               Cost of Flow Restrictor, Conservation Fees, and Disconnecting Service:  The customer of record is responsible for payment of charges for installing and/or removing any flow restricting device (currently $75.00) and for disconnecting and/or reconnecting service (currently $41.00) per the Schedule of Fees and Charges as then in effect. The charge for installing and/or removing any flow restricting device must be paid before the device is removed.