§ 6-11.204. Permanent water conservation requirements—Prohibition against waste.

The following water conservation requirements are effective at all times and are permanent. Violations of this section will be considered waste and an unreasonable use of water.

(a)

Limits on Watering Hours. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, or for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. This provision shall not apply to commercial nurseries and irrigation systems using smart controllers.

(b)

Limit on Watering Duration. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area with potable water using a landscape irrigation system or a watering device that is not continuously attended is limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes of watering per day per station. This subsection does not apply to landscape irrigation systems that exclusively use very low-flow drip type irrigation systems when no emitter produces more than two (2) gallons of water per hour, stream rotor sprinklers that meet a seventy (70%) percent efficiency standard, or irrigation systems using smart controllers.

(c)

No Excessive Water Flow or Runoff. Watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter, or ditch is prohibited.

(d)

No Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces. Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, 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 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.

(e)

Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks or Malfunctions. Excessive use, loss, or escape of water through breaks, leaks, or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected, and in no event more than seven (7) days after receiving notice from VCWWD or Golden State Water Company, is prohibited.

(f)

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.

(g)

Limits on Washing Vehicles. Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including, but not limited to, any automobile, truck, van, bus, 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 positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility.

(h)

Drinking Water Served Upon Request Only. Eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to a restaurant, hotel, cafe, cafeteria, bar, or other public place where food or drinks are sold, served, or offered for sale, are prohibited from providing drinking water to any person unless expressly requested.

(i)

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

(j)

No Installation of Single Pass Cooling Systems. Installation of single pass cooling systems is prohibited in buildings requesting new water service.

(k)

No Installation of Non-recirculating Water Systems in Commercial Car Washes and Laundry Systems. Installation of non-recirculating water systems is prohibited in new commercial conveyor car washes and new commercial laundry systems.

(l)

Restaurants Required to Use Water Conserving Dish Wash Spray Valves. New and existing food preparation establishments, such as restaurants or cafes, are required to use water conserving dish wash spray valves.

(m)

Commercial Car Wash Systems. Effective on January 1, 2010, all commercial conveyor car wash systems must have installed operational re-circulating water systems or must have secured a waiver of this requirement from VCWWD or Golden State Water Company.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. July 16, 2009)