New cool-season watering restrictions have gone into effect in the city of Pasadena. As of November 1st, watering outdoors is limited to one time per week. Residents have the option of watering on either Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The new restrictions are to remain in place until March 31, 2010. Watering by hand, drip irrigation, and systems with weather-based controllers are exempt from the one day per week restriction.

Regardless of the time of year, the following instances of water waste are prohibited in Pasadena:

• Watering during periods of rain
• Excessive water flow or runoff onto pavement, gutter, or ditches
• Washing down paved surfaces
• Failure to fix leaks, breaks, or malfunctions  within 72 hours

Fines for failing to comply start at $100 and run as high as $500 for residential customers. Non-residential customers can see fines as high as $1,000.

We should also mention that Pasadena Water and Power is currently offering water efficiency rebates though the Metropolitan Water District’s “SoCal Water$mart Program”. The rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates on landscape related purchases include:

• Weather-Based Irrigation Controller $150
• Rotating Nozzles for Pop-Up Spray Head Retrofits $5/nozzle
• Synthetic Turf (limited to 1/2 acre of turf replacement) $0.60/sq ft

For further information on Pasadena’s water restrictions please visit www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater or call the water shortage hotline at (626) 744-8888. For the full details of the SoCal WaterSmart rebate program visit their website or to inquire about your existing reservation or rebate status call (888) 376-3314. If you need irrigation repair services contact WCGM, Inc. at  (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. Also visit LAsprinklerrepair.com if you’re in the greater Los Angeles area, or OCsprinklerrepair.com if you’re in the Orange County area for information on residential sprinkler repair services.