Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 14.22 Water Conservation

A. No person shall use or permit the use of water for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or any other purpose, contrary to any provision of this ordinance.

B. No person shall waste water or use it unreasonably. To prevent the waste and unreasonable use of water and to promote water conservation, each of the following actions is prohibited as an unreasonable use of water, except where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency:

1. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures;

2. The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use;

3. The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks;

4. The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system;

5. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall;

6. The serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including, but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased;

7. The irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians; and;

8. The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

C. To promote water conservation, operators of hotels and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. The hotel or motel shall prominently display notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language.

D. A splash pad shall be defined as a recreational feature and includes any pavement or sidewalk area that is part of the splash pad. Operation of a splash pad is not prohibited by this ordinance as an unreasonable use of water.

(Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. This chapter establishes a Water Conservation Program which uses five stages to address conditions and needs. The Water Conservation Stage shall be set by City Council action. All normal water efficiency programs and water conservation regulations shall remain in force during any stage, unless the City Council directs otherwise.

B. Stage One represents normal conditions; Stages Two, Three, Four, and Five represent potential and actual shortages. Stages Two, Three, Four, and Five may be triggered by a local or regional water supply shortage; production, treatment, transmission, or delivery infrastructure problems; limited or unavailable alternative water supplies; or other circumstances.

C. Stage one conservation measures are voluntary, and will be encouraged through public outreach, education, and awareness measures by the City.

D. Stages Two, Three, Four, and Five conservation measures are mandatory, and violations may be subject to criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement.

(Ord. 7556 § 2, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7288 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7254 § 1, 2014; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. Stage One applies when the City can meet all of its water demands, but declares, by resolution, that it has determined that certain conservation methods are warranted to preserve existing water supply in the event that the City will be unable to meet future water demands with its local water supplies.

B. Upon declaration of Stage One by the City Council, the following water conservation measures shall apply:

1. Non-agricultural irrigation should be done from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Irrigation water cannot leave the landscaped area.

2. Use of graywater, as that term is defined in the California Health and Safety Code, and recycled water for irrigation is permitted on any day and at any time, subject only to any permits issued by the City.

(Ord. 7556 § 3, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7288 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7254 § 1, 2014; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. Stage Two applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, a reasonable probability exists that the City will not be able to meet all of its water demands with its local water supplies, other regional or statewide conditions warrant implementation, or the State of California orders implementation; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of up to 15 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 1 and 2.

B. Upon declaration of Stage Two by the City Council, and the following measures shall apply:

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all Stage One measures remain in effect but shall be mandatory, not voluntary.

2. Customers will be asked to reduce their monthly water consumption up to 15 percent.

3. Non-agricultural irrigation is limited as follows:

a. Properties may be irrigated only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Irrigation of landscaping is prohibited on any day of the week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

b. Properties may not be irrigated more than three times per week.

c. All automatic irrigation timers shall be adjusted according to irrigation time restrictions and changing weather patterns, and shall completely eliminate run-off.

d. Use of graywater, as that term is defined in the California Health and Safety Code, and recycled water for irrigation is permitted on any day and at any time, subject only to any permits issued by the City.

4. All plumbing leaks, improperly adjusted sprinklers, or other water appurtenances requiring repair or adjustment shall be corrected to the satisfaction of the City within 72 hours of notification by the City. The City will attempt to contact customers by phone, mail, email or text, or printed "door-hanger" notice. All customers shall ensure that the City has current telephone contact information.

5. Construction operations receiving water from a construction meter or water truck shall not use water unnecessarily for any purpose, other than those required by regulatory agencies. Construction projects requiring watering for new landscaping materials shall adhere to the designated non-agricultural irrigation requirements set forth above.

(Ord. 7556 § 4, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7288 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7254 § 1, 2014; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. Stage Three applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, a reasonable probability exists that the City will not be able to meet all of its water demands with its local water supplies, other regional or statewide conditions warrant implementation, or the State of California orders implementation; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of 15—20 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 2 and 3.

B. Upon declaration of Stage Three by the City Council, the following measures shall apply:

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all Stage One and Two measures remain in effect, and Stage One measures shall be mandatory, not voluntary.

2. Water customers will be asked to reduce their monthly water consumption by 15 to 20 percent for the duration of Stage Three.

3. Non-agricultural irrigation is limited as follows:

a. Properties may be irrigated only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

b. Properties may not be irrigated more than three times per week during the months of April through October and no more than two times per week during the months of November through March.

c. [Reserved.]

d. [Reserved.]

e. Use of graywater, as that term is defined in the California Health and Safety Code, or recycled water for irrigation is permitted on any day and at any time, subject only to any permits issued by the City.

(Ord. 7556 § 5, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7288 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7254 § 1, 2014; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. Stage Four applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, that the City's ability to meet its water demands with its local water supplies is seriously impaired; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of 20—50 percent corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 3, 4 and 5.

B. Upon declaration of Stage Four by the City Council, the following water conservation measures shall apply:

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all Stage One, Two, and Three conservation measures shall be in full force and effect during Stage Four, and Stage One measures shall be mandatory, not voluntary.

2. Water customers will reduce their monthly water consumption by 20 to 50 percent for the duration of Water Conservation Stage Four.

3. Non-agricultural irrigation shall be limited to supporting minimal survival of trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs may be irrigated, only during the following designated hours and designated days:

a. Properties with odd number street addresses, parks, and public right-of-ways may irrigate only on Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

b. Properties with even number street addresses may irrigate only on Sundays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

c. Irrigation is prohibited on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and on any day of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

d. Use of graywater, as that term is identified in the California Health and Safety Code, or recycled water for irrigation is permitted on any day and at any time, subject only to any permits issued by the City.

4. All outdoor watering and irrigation of lawns and similar ground covers is prohibited with the exception of plant materials determined by the City Manager to be rare, exceptionally valuable, or essential to the well-being of the public or threatened or endangered animals.

5. Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited except at a commercial car wash. Commercial car washes shall only use wholly- or partially-recycled water for washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment. Washings necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, such as garbage trucks or vehicles used for food and perishables, are exempt from this section.

6. Filling, refilling, or replenishing swimming pools, spas, ponds, streams, and artificial lakes is prohibited.

7. Operation of any ornamental fountain, pond, or similar structure is prohibited.

8. [Reserved.]

9. Water used for commercial, manufacturing, or processing purposes shall be reduced as determined by the City Council.

(Ord. 7556 § 6, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A Stage Five applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, that the City's ability to meet its water demands with its local water supplies is so seriously impaired that RPU faces an actual supply shortage of over 50 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage level 6; and

B. Upon declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency:

1. No new construction meters will be issued.

2. No construction water may be used for earth work such as road construction purposes, dust control, compaction, or trench jetting.

3. No new building permit(s) shall be issued, except:

a. Projects found by the City Council to be necessary for public health, safety.

b. Projects using recycled water for construction.

c. Projects which will not result in a net increase in non-recycled water use.

d. Projects with adequate conservation offsets, if available. The City, in its sole discretion, may choose to make conservation offsets available. Conservation offset costs shall be based on the cost of conserving the water elsewhere to provide the water needed for a project, the cost of providing an alternative water supply deemed acceptable by the City, or other measures as may be found in the City's water use efficiency master plan. Conservation offset fees will be set forth in the Water Rules and Rate Schedules.

(Ord. 7556 § 6, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)

A. Any violation of this article may be subject to enforcement by issuance of an administrative citation pursuant to Chapter 1.17 of this Code. Prior to issuance of an administrative citation, the City shall give one courtesy notice requesting voluntary correction of the violation. The City Manager, or his or her designee, may enter into a written agreement with a customer to resolve any violation provided that such agreement is consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter.

B. If any phrase, section, sentence, or word of this ordinance is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect any other phrase, section, sentence, or word of the ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid phrase, section, sentence, or word, and to this end each phrase, section, sentence, or word of this ordinance is declared to be severable.

(Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)