Sprinkler time limits have also been changed based on the type of nozzle or sprinkler head. Spray heads and bubblers (non-conserving models) may be run for up to 8 minutes per station per day. Rotors and multi-stream rotary heads are allowed 15 minutes per cycle and up to two cycles per station per day. Watering is restricted to before 9:00 am and after 4:00 pm to reduce evaporation. Low flow drip irrigation remains exempt from the above restrictions.

All other prohibited uses of water remain in effect including:

• Watering of any hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways or parking areas
• Outdoor watering during periods of rain
• Allowing runoff onto streets and gutters from excessive watering
• Allowing leaks from any pipe or fixture to go un-repaired
• Using water to clean, fill or maintain decorative fountains unless the water is part of a  recirculating system
• Allowing large landscape areas to be watered without rain sensors that shut off irrigation systems

Watering by hand using a garden hose (must have a self closing shut-off nozzle in place) is still allowed any day of the week before 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm. The Water Conservation Ordinance was modified to minimize pressure fluctuations which may have led to a series of major water line breaks over the past two years. For further information on the Water Conservation Ordinance please visit www.ladwp.com.

The city employs a mobile water conservation team known as the ‘Drought Busters’. They patrol the streets looking for water wasters in their marked Toyota Hybrid Priuses. 1st time offenders usually are give a warning, but fines for 2nd time offenders start at $100 and can reach up to $300 for individuals and $600 for businesses. The fines and new water restrictions began on June 1st.

Outdoor watering restrictions include:

• Watering using sprinklers on Monday and Thursday only
• No watering between 9 am and 4 pm
• Watering using rotor (gear driven) type sprinklers is limited to 15 minutes per station, and 10 minutes for all other type of sprinklers (excluding drip)
• No watering of hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or parking areas
• Allowing runoff onto streets and gutters from excessive watering
• Allowing leaks from any pipe or fixture to go unrepaired
• No watering during periods of rain

For more information on outdoor watering restrictions please see our post “Mandatory Water Conservation is Here!” or visit DWP’s website at www.ladwp.com. For irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. For residential sprinkler repair information visit LAsprinklerrepair.com (Los Angeles) or OCsprinklerrepair.com (Orange County).

If you are a customer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, beginning June 1st new outdoor watering restrictions and higher water rates will take effect. Are you ready? If you’re not familiar with the city’s water conservation ordinance, then you should probably take the time to read through this article, because if you don’t, it could cost you some money.

Southern California is in it’s third year of drought. Less than average snowfall in the Sierras, an increasing population, and water reductions due to environmental concerns in the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta region have all combined to create a severe water shortage. The city of Los Angeles has decided to invoke the next phase of their water conservation plan which increases water rates and adds new watering restrictions.

Under the new phase of the ordinance, the following is illegal:

• Watering using sprinklers on any day other than Monday and Thursday
• Watering landscaping (including lawns) between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm
• Watering using rotor (gear driven) type sprinklers for more than 15 minutes per station, and more than 10 minutes for all other type sprinklers (excluding drip irrigation)
• Using water on any hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways or parking areas
• Allowing runoff onto streets and gutters from excessive watering
• Allowing leaks from any pipe or fixture to go unrepaired
• Using water to clean, fill or maintain decorative fountains unless the water is part of a recirculating system
• Permitting watering during periods of rain

It’s probably important to note that the ordinance also specifically states that large landscape areas, such as parks and open fields, must have rain shut off devices installed. Large landscape area is left somewhat open to interpretation, but it’s probably a good idea to install a rain shut off device on your system if you don’t have one. The above restrictions do not apply to the use of reclaimed water, so long as it does not result in excess water flow or runoff. Large turf customers such as parks and golf courses can deviate from the specified non-watering days as long as their irrigation system includes weather-based irrigation controllers; however, each station is still limited to the number days allowed to irrigate. Also, low-flow drip type irrigation when no emitter produces more than 2 gallons per hour are exempt from the 10 minute time limit.

Penalties for non-compliance are based on water meter size. Customers with a meter smaller than 2 inches will receive a written notice for the first violation. A second violation within a 12 month period will result in a $100 surcharge, a third violation within 12 months is $200, and it’s $300 for a fourth violation. After a fifth violation, the LADWP may install a flow restricting device. For a 2″ meter or larger it’s a written notice for the first violation, $200 for a second violation within a 12 month period, $400 for a third and $600 for the fourth. Again, a fifth violation will lead to the LADWP installing a flow restricting device.

On June 1 “Shortage Year Water Rates” will also take effect, this could mean a higher water bill for you if you don’t take steps to reduce your consumption. Tier 1 rates are the lowest rate you can purchase water at. This new phase of the ordinance cuts the amount of water you can purchase at the Tier 1 rate by 15%. If you’re already using 15% less than your allotment, you will not see an increase in your water bill. However, if you exceed the reduced Tier 1 allotment, you will end up paying the higher Tier 2 rate and will most definitely see an increase in your water bill.

Did you know that as much as 50% of your water consumption occurs outdoors? By following the above restrictions, and implementing some simple water conservation tips, you can reduce the amount of water you use dramatically. We all need to do our part to help conserve this precious resource. The population will continue to grow, but the amount of available water will not. The next phase of the water conservation plan calls for watering only 1 day per week and the following phase allows no watering at all. Los Angeles is an oasis in the middle of the desert. To keep it that way we need to be smart about how we use our water.

If you would like further information please visit the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s website at www.ladwp.com or contact them by phone at (800) DIAL DWP. For some outdoor conservation tips check out “Top 10 Water Conservation Tips“. For irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. For residential sprinkler repair information visit LAsprinklerrepair.com (Los Angeles) or OCsprinklerrepair.com (Orange County).