Chapter 5.52
WATER SHORTAGE STAGE 1 DECLARED
Sections:
5.52.050 Stage 1 requirements.
5.52.010 Purpose.
The purposes of the provisions enacted by the adoption of the resolution codified in this chapter are to ensure the highest beneficial use of district water supplies and to provide sufficient water supplies to meet the basic needs of human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection within the district’s direct retail service area. (Res. 3280 § 1, 2023)
5.52.020 Effective date.
Stage 1 of the program is hereby declared to be in effect as of the effective date of the resolution codified in this chapter and shall hereby apply to all persons within the Western’s direct retail service area and all property served in a retail capacity by Western wherever situated. The response measures of Stage 1, pursuant to the program, are attached hereto as Exhibit A (WMWDC 5.52.050). (Res. 3280 § 2, 2023)
5.52.030 Provisions in force.
All provisions enacted by the adoption of the resolution codified in this chapter and attached exhibits shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise determined by subsequent action of the board of directors pursuant to the program. (Res. 3280 § 3, 2023)
5.52.040 Announcement.
The resolution codified in this chapter shall be effective as of the date of adoption. Within 10 calendar days from the date of adoption, Western shall make a public announcement of Stage 1 in accordance with the publication requirements set forth in the program. (Res. 3280 § 4, 2023)
5.52.050 Stage 1 requirements.
A. Upon declaration of Stage 1 by the board of directors, the following water conservation and supply shortage response measures shall always be in effect:
1. All plumbing leaks, improperly adjusted sprinklers, or other water conduits/fixtures that require repair or adjustment shall be corrected to the satisfaction of Western within 96 hours of customer notification by Western.
2. When installing plumbing fixtures, use low-flow devices, except for those that require high-flow fixtures for health and/or sanitary reasons.
B. Outdoor Water Use.
1. All outdoor irrigation shall be maintained and adjusted to prevent water waste.
2. All irrigators shall ensure automatic irrigation timers are adjusted according to changes in the weather.
3. Watering of lawns and/or groundcovers and irrigating landscaping is permitted only between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
4. Watering outdoor landscaped areas shall be avoided during measurable rain events and two days thereafter. A measurable rainfall event is determined to be precipitation that measures greater than 0.25 inches as recorded at the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) Station Number 44 for customers in or near the Riverside service area and CIMIS Station 62 for customers in or near the Murrieta and Rainbow service area. Measurement information is available online at CIMIS website (www.cimis.water.ca.gov).
5. Watering outdoor landscaped areas shall be avoided during significant wind events.
6. No customer shall allow water to leave his or her property by drainage onto adjacent properties or public or private roadways or streets due to excessive irrigation and/or uncorrected leaks.
7. When installing new landscaping, refer to the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS). Plant low-water California Friendly® Landscapes. Nonfunctional turf areas are not recommended.
8. All open hoses shall be equipped with automatic, positive shut-off nozzles.
9. All swimming pools, spas, ponds, and fountains shall be equipped with recirculating pumps.
10. Where possible, install pool and spa covers to minimize water loss due to evaporation during non-operating days.
11. Draining and refilling of private swimming pools is discouraged, unless necessary for health and safety or leak repair.
12. The noncommercial washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic, positive shut-off nozzle.
13. No customer shall use water to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or other paved or hard surface areas, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic, positive self-closing shut-off device, or a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine.
C. Construction.
1. Construction operations receiving water from a construction meter, hydrant meter, or water truck shall not use water for any purpose other than those required by regulatory agencies.
2. Where possible, construction operations should utilize nonpotable and recycled water for their purposes.
D. Commercial.
1. It is prohibited to install single-pass cooling systems in buildings requesting new water service. Single pass cooling equipment should either be modified to recirculate water or, if possible, should be eliminated.
2. New commercial conveyor car washes and new commercial laundry systems should install recirculating water systems.
3. Eating or drinking establishments, or other public places where food or drinks are sold, served, or offered for sale, should only provide drinking water upon specific request and are encouraged to use low-flow certified pre-rinse spray valves.
4. Commercial lodging establishments shall provide an option not to launder linens daily. Commercial lodging establishments shall prominently display notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language.
5. Developers of commercial properties are urged to eliminate or not install nonfunctional turf and to install water-wise landscaping using native or drought-tolerant plants.
6. No commercial property shall allow water to leave the property by drainage onto adjacent properties or public or private roadways or streets due to excessive irrigation and/or uncorrected leaks.
E. Homeowner Associations (HOAs).
1. Homeowner Associations (HOAs), community service organizations, or similar entities are strongly discouraged from enforcing provisions of their rules and regulations that prohibit reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during a declared drought emergency.
2. Western strongly encourages counties, cities, HOAs, and other enforcement agencies to suspend code enforcement and fines for brown turf areas and to otherwise comply with new state laws regarding limitations on such enforcement.
3. HOAs shall eliminate irrigation runoff from residential and HOA common area landscapes. HOAs are strongly encouraged to adopt and enforce water use restrictions in their rules and regulations. (Res. 3280 (Exh. A), 2023)