These are water-saving regulations from the State of California that are active year-round.
- All decorative water features must re-circulate water or users must secure a waiver from the District.
- Washing or hosing down vehicles is prohibited except by use of a handheld container, hose with an automatic shut-off device, or at a commercial car wash.
- Washing hard or paved surfaces are prohibited except to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards using a handheld container, hose with an automatic shut-off device, or a low volume high pressure cleaning machine that recycles used water.
- Watering vegetated areas in a manner that causes excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter, or ditch is prohibited.
- Irrigating turf on public street medians is prohibited with potable water.
- No landscape watering shall occur within 48 hours after measurable precipitation.
- All new commercial car wash and laundry facilities should recirculate the wash water.
- The unauthorized use of hydrants is prohibited. Authorization for use must be obtained from YLWD.
Level 1 (Water Shortage Warning): up to 10% shortage
- Increase public awareness about the water shortage
- Encourage voluntary conservation through education on efficient water use and rebate options
- Offer customers Water Use Surveys
- Customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions of sprinklers within 5 days
Level 2 (Moderate Water Shortage): up to 20% shortage
- Further, increase public awareness about the water shortage through bill inserts
- Provide leak reports on customer bills
- Customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions of sprinklers promptly
- All customer hoses must use an automatic shut-off nozzle
Level 3 (Significant Water Shortage): up to 30% shortage
- Further, increase public awareness about the water shortage through bill inserts and social media
- Expand landscape irrigation rebates
- Watering or irrigation is prohibited between 9 am and 6 pm except by use of a handheld device, hose equipped with an automatic shutoff device, or when repairing an irrigation system for short periods of time
- Irrigating turf on public street medians is prohibited
- Restaurants may only serve water upon request
- Hotels and other lodging establishments must offer a linen service opt-out
- No single-pass cooling systems may be installed in new or remodeled buildings
Level 4 (Severe Water Shortage): up to 40% shortage
- Further, increase public awareness about the water shortage through bill inserts and social media
- All non-essential commercial and industrial water use should cease
- Watering or irrigation with a device that is not continuously attended to is limited to fifteen (15) minutes per day per valve. Low flow drip type systems, water efficient stream rotor systems, and sensor/weather controlled systems are exempt.
- Commercial kitchens are required to use water-efficient, pre-rinse spray valves
- Washing hard or paved surfaces are prohibited except to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards using a handheld container, hose with an automatic shut-off device, or a low-volume high-pressure cleaning machine that recycles used water.
- All decorative water features must re-circulate water or users must secure a waiver from YLWD.
Level 5 (Critical Water Shortage): up to 50% shortage
- Further, increase public awareness about the water shortage through bill inserts and social media
- Filling or refilling ornamental lakes and ponds is prohibited. Ornamental lakes and ponds that sustain aquatic life of significant value and were actively managed prior to the storage declaration are exempt.
- Existing pools shall not be emptied and refilled using potable water unless required for public health and safety purposes.
- Watering of parks, school grounds, and recreation fields is prohibited, except for rare plant or animal species.
Level 6 (Emergency Water Shortage): +50% shortage
- Further, increase public awareness about the water shortage through bill inserts and social media
- The District may implement other prohibited water uses as determined by the District, after notice to customers
