Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 08 Water Conservation

The City's water efficiency and conservation measures are provided in Title 15, Green Building Code, which adopts by reference the 2010 California Green Building Code and its water efficiency and conservation measures.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

A. The City shall provide a comprehensive water conservation program through limitations on water usage and through public education. Landscaping systems shall be properly designed, installed, maintained, and operated to prevent the wasting of water. The use of drought-tolerant landscaping shall be encouraged. Serving water in restaurants only upon customer request shall be encouraged.

B. Utility customers shall not be permitted to engage in water wasting.

1. Acts constituting water wasting shall include, but shall not be limited to, any of the following acts:

a. Failure to comply with the following schedule when watering lawns, plants, or garden, or using outdoor water for other purposes. In accordance with the City's adopted drought preparedness plan, restrictions on the allowable watering days and times may vary in accordance with drought conditions. Typical requirements included in the drought preparedness plan:

(1) No lawn/garden watering, or other outdoor use, will be allowed between 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m., every day.

(2) Dwellings or establishments with odd-numbered street addresses shall use outdoor water only on Sundays and/or Wednesdays, depending on the drought stage.

(3) Dwellings or establishments with even-numbered street addresses shall use outdoor water only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, depending on the drought stage.

(4) No dwelling or establishment may use outdoor water on Mondays unless a determination is made of special circumstances by the Director of Public Works or his or her designee.

b. Watering lawns or gardens such that excess water leaves the property or area being watered.

c. Watering outdoor landscaping while raining.

d. Washing vehicles, equipment, or boats using an open hose which is not equipped with a shut-off nozzle.

e. Hosing down driveways, streets, parking lots and building exteriors without the consent of the Director of Public Works or his or her designee except for valid health or safety reasons.

f. Having leaky faucets or plumbing fixtures on the premises.

g. Operating evaporated coolers which are not equipped with a recirculating pump.

h. The City of Ceres allows water waivers upon request to the Public Works Department for the following reasons:

(1) Health/safety.

(2) Irrigation: System maintenance, installation, and inspection.

(3) Livelihood: Business that depends on water usage.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)