As we enter another hot, dry Californian summer, Governor Brown is taking immediate action to drastically improve our state’s conservation efforts. For the first time in recorded state history, conservation is now mandatory for all residents.
As we enter another hot, dry Californian summer, Governor Brown is taking immediate action to drastically improve our state’s conservation efforts. For the first time in recorded state history, conservation is now mandatory for all residents, with the State Water Resources and Control Board instituting an immediate 25% reduction in drinkable urban water use as part of an emergency regulation.
This regulation estimates that each person should consume no more than 55 gallons of water per day, with communities being expected to conserve water based on how much water the area used the previous summer. At the state level, HOAs do not have any special restrictions placed on them, and are treated like all Californian residents. However, some water districts may place unique restrctions on HOAs.
Local Water Restrictions and Penalties
While the governor’s Executive Order adopts restrictions that all Californians must follow, each water supplier chooses how it will reach its mandatory conservation goal. This means that some water supplier’s will enforce extra restrictions, and even give out fines to those who fail to follow the conservation standards.
Both individual water suppliers and the governor of California have restricted wasteful uses of water, which is any time water is…
- Used to wash hard surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks, buildings, etc.
- Used in decorative fountains, lakes, or ponds (unless it is recycled water)
- Used to wash a car, boat, or other vehicle if the hose does not have a shut-off nozzle
- Used to water landscaping within 48 hours of rainfall
- Used in excess and causes run-off onto sidewalks, streets, etc.
- Used to water ornamental turf on street medians
- Leaking from any pipe or fixture without timely repair
Most water suppliers have also implemented time restraints for landscape irrigation, restricting certain times of day, number of days, that a homeowner can water his or her plants and lawn. Some suppliers have even assigned certain days of the week a resident (or a condominium, in some locations) is allowed to water, usually based on their neighborhood or address. The following chart shows when you can water according to the five largest water suppliers in California:
| Water Supplier | How many days a week? | What time? | Assigned watering days? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | N/A | 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. | No |
| East Bay Municipal Utilities District | 2 | 6:00 p.m.– 9:00 a.m. | No |
| City of San Diego | 3 | 6 p.m.– 10:00 a.m. | Yes |
| San Jose Water Company | 3-4 | Any | Yes |
| San Francisco Public Utilities Commission | N/A | Any | No |
While penalties are optional, many of the largest water suppliers in the state have adopted water waste fines and enforcement tactics. Los Angeles, for instance, has a water conservation enforcement unit, “Water Cops”, that patrol the city to ensure conservation standards are kept. Some areas implement fines ranging from $100 – $600 for repeat water wasters, while others, such as the East Bay Municipal Water District, will cut-off the water to repeat waster’s residence.
To find out any special restrictions in your area, you can find out who your water supplier is with this lookup tool, and then check your supplier’s restrictions and penalties with the Association of California Water Agencies interactive map tool.
How Can HOAs Save Water?
You may be asking yourself, what can my HOA do to help save California’s water?
In most of California, 50% or more of the water consumed is used in landscaping, so we’ve created a list of cheap and easy ways to save water on your HOA’s landscaping. A few examples are:
- Watering less and at the right time
- Using mulch around trees and shrubbery
- Adjusting your sprinklers to reduce run-off
- Checking regularly for leaks and breaks in water lines
These are just a few examples to give you an idea. For the detailed discussion, read the full article.
Perhaps the most important way your HOA can help save water is by staying educated and spreading the word with friends, neighbors, and your community. Share this article along with some tips for reducing water consumption in your next newsletter or post them on your HOA’s website – whatever it takes to get your community involved and help keep them informed.
HOAs across California are already making an impact on their environment. Urge your HOA to join the effort today!