Rosemead Municipal Code Ch. 13.04 Water Conservation

The City Council finds and declares that a water shortage exists in southern California which could have severe consequences within the City and that the regulations set forth herein are necessary and proper to protect the water supply for human consumption, sanitation and fire protection during the term of this emergency water shortage.

(Prior code § 5601 (part))

This chapter shall apply to all water users in the City including individuals and residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental and other water users.

(Prior code § 5601(A))

No water user shall waste water from any source nor shall any person sanction such waste.

(Prior code § 5601(B))

A. A Phase I shortage shall be declared when the City is advised by the State Water Resources Control Board or by the City's water purveyors that conservation of up to ten (10) percent is required due to a shortage of water supplies.

B. All elements of Phase II shall apply to Phase I on a voluntary basis only.

(Ord. No. 953, § 2, 6-9-15; Prior code § 5602)

A. A Phase II shortage shall be declared when the City is advised by the State Water Resources Control Board or by the City's water purveyors that a conservation of up to twenty (20) percent is required due to a shortage of water supplies.

B. The following restrictions on the use of water by water users shall be in effect during a Phase II shortage:

1. There shall be no hose washing of sidewalks, walkways, buildings, walls, patios, driveways, parking areas or other paved surfaces, except to eliminate conditions dangerous to public health or safety or when required as surface preparation for the application of architectural coating or painting;

2. Washing of motor vehicles, trailers, boats and other types of equipment shall be done only with a hand-held bucket or a hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses, except that washing may be done with reclaimed wastewater, or by a commercial car wash using recycled water;

3. No water shall be used to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains, ponds, lakes or other similar aesthetic structures unless such water is part of a recycling system;

4. No water shall be used to refill a swimming pool, spa or hot tub emptied after the commencement of Phase II;

5. All water users shall repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures within forty-eight (48) hours of discovery;

6. No restaurant, hotel, cafe, cafeteria or other public place where food is sold, served or offered for sale, shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested and shall display a notice to that effect;

7. The owner and manager of every hotel, motel, inn, guest house, bed and breakfast facility, and short-term commercial lodging shall post a notice of water shortage and any necessary compliance measures;

8. No water users shall cause or allow the water to run off landscaped areas into adjoining streets, sidewalks or other paved areas due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or excessive watering;

9. If a local purveyor has not previously designated outdoor watering restrictions, then the following restrictions shall apply:

a. The restrictions on watering lawns, landscape or other turf with potable water by methods other than drip irrigation or mircospray shall be limited to the hours between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

b. The restrictions on watering lawns, landscape or other turf with potable water by methods other than drip irrigation or mircospray shall be limited to no more than three days per week. Even-numbered addresses shall water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and odd-numbered addresses shall water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

c. These provisions shall apply to residential, commercial, industrial and public agencies but shall not apply to commercial nurseries, golf courses and other water-dependent industries.

(Ord. No. 953, § 2, 6-9-15; Prior code § 5603)

A. A Phase III shortage shall be declared when the City is advised by the State Water Resources Control Board or by the City's water purveyors that a conservation of more than twenty (20) percent is required due to a shortage of water supplies.

B. All of the restrictions of Phase II shall apply except that:

1. Irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings not in accordance with emergency regulations or other requirements established in the California Building Standards Code is prohibited

2. Application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within forty-eight (48) hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited;

3. Water used on a one-time basis for purposes such as construction and dust control, shall be limited to that quantity identified in a plan submitted by the user which describes water use requirements. The plan shall be submitted to the City's Community Development Department for approval. Water sources other than potable water shall be utilized where available;

4. The use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and related activities and other uses of water for municipal purposes shall be limited to activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare.

5. If a local purveyor has not previously designated outdoor watering restrictions, then the following restrictions shall apply:

a. The restrictions on watering lawns, landscape or other turf with potable water by methods other than drip irrigation or mircospray shall be limited to no more than two days per week. Even-numbered addresses shall water on Monday and Thursday and odd-numbered addresses shall water on Tuesday and Friday.

b. These provisions shall apply to all consumers including commercial nurseries, golf courses and other water-dependent industries.

(Ord. No. 953, § 2, 6-9-15; Prior code § 5604)

A. The restricted uses of water provided for by this chapter are not applicable to that use of water necessary for public health and safety, for essential health care services or governmental services such as police, fire and other similar public emergency services.

B. The use of reclaimed or recycled water shall be exempt from this chapter.

(Prior code § 5605)

Any person or water user violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be issued a written warning for the first violation. Upon the second or subsequent violations, the person or water user shall be cited in accordance with Section 1.20, Administrative Citations of the Rosemead Municipal Code. This remedy is in addition to and cumulative with any other remedies or penalties available in the Rosemead Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 953, § 2, 6-9-15; Prior code § 5606)