Conservation & Water use efficiency
Be Water Wise
We encourage everyone to use water wisely. Our community is located in an arid, semi-desert climate. Efficient water usage is essential for maintaining our Southern California lifestyle.
We have enough water to use, but none to waste.
FREE Water Use Surveys
We offer FREE Water Use Surveys for your home or business! Our team will check for leaks, inspect your irrigation system, and recommend ways to reduce water use—contact Customer Service. Save water and save money!
Call 714-701-3000 for assistance.
Save Money
Rebates are available when upgrading water using devices like sprinklers, washing machines, toilets, and rain barrels. Learn more about both commercial and residential rebates.
Home Water-Saving Tips
- Nearly half of all home water use goes for lawn and garden irrigation. Reducing outdoor irrigation use is the best opportunity for well water savings.
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid “watering” sidewalks, driveways, and the street. Lower pressure to avoid creating a wasteful mist.
- Yards need little or no watering during the cool late fall, winter, and early spring months. Program automatic controllers to fit the season.
- Don’t let the hose run while washing your car.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, tennis courts, and other paved areas.
- A pool or spa cover prevents wasteful evaporation.
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets. A steady drip can waste up to 600 gallons of water each month.
- Automatic dish and clothes washers are very efficient when used for full loads. More water-efficient clothes washers are now available.
- Call the District for details on clothes washer rebate programs.
- Older toilets use up to seven gallons of water per flush. They should be replaced with new ultra-low-flush models that use only 1.6 gallons.
- Low-flow showerheads save water and money every time you take a shower.
- A half-filled bathtub requires less water than all but the shortest shower.
Water Conservation
Current Water Conservation Status
YLWD does not have specific restrictions or penalties for water use; customers can decide the best way to conserve.
The State of California prohibits commercial, industrial, and institutional customers from watering decorative grass; this includes Home Owner Associations. However, there are exemptions that YLWD staff would be happy to explore with our customers. Or you can learn more on your own using this FAQ from the State Water Resource Control Board.
Level 0
Living
Water Wise
0% Shortage
Level 1
Shortage
Warning
≤ 10% Shortage
Level 2
Moderate
Shortage
≤ 20% Shortage
Level 3
Significant
Shortage
≤ 30% Shortage
Level 4
Severe
Shortage
≤ 40% Shortage
Level 5
Critical
Shortage
≤ 50% Shortage
Level 6
Emergency
Shortage
> 50% Shortage
- Updated June 14, 2022
What the Levels Mean
The following are the levels of water shortage that may be declared by the District’s Board of Directors to respond to a water shortage condition. Click each Level on the left for a summary of the water shortage response actions that may be implemented.
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
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
In 2021, we updated our Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The Water Shortage Contingency Plan provides guidance on what water supply shortage actions the District may implement in the event of a water shortage condition.
Summarized above are the water shortage actions for any given declared water shortage level. The specific text can be found in the published Plan.
California Drought
Recurring drought is a feature of California’s climate, and Orange County water agencies are well-positioned to respond to recurring dry conditions. Thanks to Orange County Water District’s portfolio approach to mitigating drought and increasing water supply, we have long-term water reliability.
OCWD manages and protects the Orange County Groundwater Basin (Basin), which provides 77% of the water supply to 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. Learn more about OCWD’s commitment to our water supply.