CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
On July 8, Gov. Newsom issued both a Proclamation that expands the state’s drought emergency and an Executive Order calling for Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15% from 2020. In alignment with the Executive Order, Elk Grove Water District is asking that its customers voluntarily reduce their consumption by 15%.
There are many easy and quick water-saving actions that can be taken today. These include watering just three days per week, dialing back sprinklers by two minutes (while continuing to water your trees), making sure sprinklers and drip irrigation run in the morning to minimize evaporation, adding mulch to conserve moisture, and fixing household leaks.
For information on how to conserve please visit our Conservation Resource page or Be Water Smart website.
Water restrictions currently include:
NORMAL WATER SUPPLY – No shortage exists. No extraordinary water conservation regulations exist.
The following practices that waste potable water are prohibited:
- Runoff – Irrigation shall not be allowed to run off to adjoining properties or to the roadside ditch or gutter.
- Watering after a Rainfall Event – No irrigation shall be allowed for 48 hours after a measurable rainfall event. A measureable rainfall event shall be defined as an event having 0.10 inches of rain in one day.
- Hoses – Open hoses are not permitted. Automatic shutoff nozzles are required.
- Washing driveways and other paved areas – Use of water to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, or other hardscapes is not permitted. Washing of streets and commercial parking lots with a hose is not permitted, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards.
- Pools, ponds and fountains – All swimming pools, ponds, fountains, or other decorative water feature shall use recirculated water.
PENALTIES FOR WATER WASTING UNDER NORMAL WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS
- First and Second Violation – Customer is notified of a violation.
- Third Violation – Written warning sent to customer.
In addition, the following practices are encouraged:
- Irrigation – Limit landscape irrigation to not more than 3 days a week
- Irrigation hours – Landscaping irrigation is discouraged between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the summer months (May – October).
- Serving of Water – Restaurants shall serve water to customers only upon request.
- Water Leaks – Leaking pipes, fixtures or sprinklers shall be repaired promptly.
Irrigation Restrictions After Rainfall
The Elk Grove Water District refers to the Department of Water Resources California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) in determining when measurable rainfall has occurred in our District. EGWD defines measurable rainfall as 1/10 of an inch (.10).