Simi Valley Municipal Code Art. 2 City Water Conservation Program

(a) The purpose of this article is to establish a Water Conservation Program that will reduce water consumption within the City through conservation, enable effective water supply planning, assure reasonable and beneficial use of water, prevent waste of water, and maximize the efficient use of water within the City to avoid and minimize the effect and hardship of water shortage to the greatest extent possible.

(b) This article establishes permanent water conservation standards intended to alter behavior related to water use efficiency at all times.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. June 16, 2009)

The following words and phrases whenever used in this article have the meaning defined in this section:

(a) "City" means City of Simi Valley.

(b) "City Council" means the City Council of the City of Simi Valley.

(c) "Person" means any natural person or persons, corporation, public or private entity, governmental agency or institution, including all agencies and departments of City, or any other user of water.

(d) "Landscape irrigation system" means an irrigation system with pipes, hoses, spray heads, or sprinkling devices that are operated by hand or through an automated system.

(e) "Single pass cooling systems" means equipment where water is circulated only once to cool equipment before being disposed.

(f) "Potable water" means water which is suitable for drinking.

(g) "Public area" means land owned in fee or easement by a public agency.

(h) "Recycled water" means the reclamation and reuse of non-potable water for beneficial use as defined in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(i) "Smart Controller" means electronic irrigation controller that utilizes sensors and real-time weather-based information in determining evapotranspiration (ET) and allowing efficient water management.

(j) "VCWWD" means the Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8.

(k) "Golden State" means the Golden State Water Company.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. July 16, 2009)

(a) To the extent authorized by law, this article shall apply to all customers and property in the City.

(b) The provisions of this article do not apply to uses of water necessary to protect public health and safety or for essential government services, such as police, fire, and other similar emergency services.

(c) The provisions of this article do not apply to the use of recycled water, with the exception of Section 6-11.204(a).

(d) The provisions of this article do not apply to the use of water by commercial nurseries and commercial growers to sustain plants, trees, shrubs, crops, or other vegetation intended for commercial sale.

(e) This article is intended solely to further the conservation of water. It is not intended to implement any provision of federal, state, or local statutes, ordinances, or regulations relating to protection of water quality or control of drainage or runoff.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. July 16, 2009)

The following water conservation requirements are effective at all times and are permanent. Violations of this section will be considered waste and an unreasonable use of water.

(a) Limits on Watering Hours. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, or for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. This provision shall not apply to commercial nurseries and irrigation systems using smart controllers.

(b) Limit on Watering Duration. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area with potable water using a landscape irrigation system or a watering device that is not continuously attended is limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes of watering per day per station. This subsection does not apply to landscape irrigation systems that exclusively use very low-flow drip type irrigation systems when no emitter produces more than two (2) gallons of water per hour, stream rotor sprinklers that meet a seventy (70%) percent efficiency standard, or irrigation systems using smart controllers.

(c) No Excessive Water Flow or Runoff. Watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter, or ditch is prohibited.

(d) No Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces. Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or alleys, is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off device, a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine equipped to recycle any water used, or a low-volume high-pressure water broom.

(e) Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks or Malfunctions. Excessive use, loss, or escape of water through breaks, leaks, or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected, and in no event more than seven (7) days after receiving notice from VCWWD or Golden State Water Company, is prohibited.

(f) Re-circulating Water Required for Water Fountains and Decorative Water Features. Operating a water fountain or other decorative water feature that does not use re-circulated water is prohibited.

(g) Limits on Washing Vehicles. Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including, but not limited to, any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat, or trailer, whether motorized or not, is prohibited, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped

with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility.

(h) Drinking Water Served Upon Request Only. Eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to a restaurant, hotel, cafe, cafeteria, bar, or other public place where food or drinks are sold, served, or offered for sale, are prohibited from providing drinking water to any person unless expressly requested.

(i) Commercial Lodging Establishments Must Provide Guests Option to Decline Daily Linen Services. Hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments must provide customers the option of not having towels and linen laundered daily. Commercial lodging establishments must prominently display notice of this option in each bathroom using clear and easily understood language.

(j) No Installation of Single Pass Cooling Systems. Installation of single pass cooling systems is prohibited in buildings requesting new water service.

(k) No Installation of Non-recirculating Water Systems in Commercial Car Washes and Laundry Systems. Installation of non-recirculating water systems is prohibited in new commercial conveyor car washes and new commercial laundry systems.

(l) Restaurants Required to Use Water Conserving Dish Wash Spray Valves. New and existing food preparation establishments, such as restaurants or cafes, are required to use water conserving dish wash spray valves.

(m) Commercial Car Wash Systems. Effective on January 1, 2010, all commercial conveyor car wash systems must have installed operational re-circulating water systems or must have secured a waiver of this requirement from VCWWD or Golden State Water Company.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. July 16, 2009)

Any violation of the water use restrictions set forth in this article may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.

(§ 4, Ord. 1142, eff. July 16, 2009)