[Amended by Res. 2617, 1-17-2023]
The District will offer educational materials to its customers in the efficient use of water to help customers conserve water. The District will furnish customers with water conservation information and encourage or require the utilization of water-conserving fixtures and equipment. The District will assist cities and the county in the implementation of the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. This Article sets forth water conservation measures which shall be followed by customers.
[Amended by Res. 2617, 1-17-2023]
(a) 
Customers shall conserve water supplied by the District by the prevention and elimination of all waste or leakage of water.
(b) 
All new plumbing fixtures installed within the District service area must conform to the following requirements:
(1) 
Toilets shall use less than 1.6 gallons per flush.
(2) 
Showerheads shall flow at less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
(3) 
Non-residential lavatory faucets shall be metering or self-closing.
(4) 
Urinals shall use not more than 1.5 gallons per flush.
(c) 
All fixtures must be approved by the State Department of Housing and Community Development, and toilets, urinals and showerheads must have a certification of volume by a reputable independent testing organization.
(1) 
Where requirements of this subsection would cause hardship or if suitable fixtures are not available, hot water re-circulating systems or point of use hot water heaters may be substituted as water conserving measures for up to two toilet installations per single family dwelling.
(2) 
In commercial uses, developers/owners may install fixtures that use up to 3.5 gallons per flush when rest room facilities must meet County handicapped use requirements and/or when vandalism of tank style toilets is likely.
(d) 
All water conserving fixture installations shall be subject to compliance inspection, prior to issuance of final occupancy permits, by one of the following agencies: Los Angeles County, City of Agoura Hills, City of Calabasas, City of Westlake Village, City of Hidden Hills, or the District. Inspection reports shall be supplied by the inspector to the District and the appropriate city or the county.
(e) 
For the benefit of the public, and to further the cause of water conservation in landscaping, one home in each model home display must be landscaped with water efficient (xeriscape) plant material and irrigated with appropriate water-conserving irrigation systems.
(1) 
The landscaping for the Xeriscape model shall be designed to be drought tolerant. The use of irrigation intensive plantings shall be discouraged.
(2) 
All turf areas shall be no more than 30% of the area landscaped. The utilization of turf alternatives (e.g. Kurapia groundcover) are highly encouraged.
(3) 
The model home display shall draw attention to the specific landscape materials and irrigation techniques utilized.
To conserve the District’s potable water supply, recycled water shall be used as follows:
(a) 
Where recycled water is available and appropriate, the use of potable water for irrigation purposes shall be considered a waste of potable water. Upon written notice from the General Manager that recycled water is available and appropriate for use, the customer shall have 60 days to commence the use of recycled water.
Thereafter, all potable water which is delivered to the property for irrigation shall be charged at a rate of 150% of the then current potable water rate. As used in this section, “available” means a District recycled water main is contiguous to the site in question.
As used in this section, “appropriate” means that the proposed use is acceptable to the Department of Health Services and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(b) 
Potable water shall not be used for construction activities such as compaction and dust control when recycled water is available and appropriate. As used in this paragraph, “available” also means that the cost of required recycled water, when added to the cost of required recycled water conveyance facilities, is less than, or equal to, the cost of an equivalent amount of potable water priced at 150% of regular potable water rates, plus the cost of necessary potable water conveyance facilities.
[Amended by Res. 2610, 7-5-2022; Res. 2617, 1-17-2023]
(a) 
Customers shall comply with the following water conservation measures at all times and regardless of whether any stage of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan has been activated and are subject to enforcement action in accordance with Section 3-4.406 of this Code.
(1) 
Potable water shall not be used to clean or sweep hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or parking areas and only as necessary to protect the public health and safety.
(2) 
Hotels, motels and other places for commercial transient occupancy shall offer guests who stay more than one night the opportunity to retain towels and linens during their stay.
(3) 
Car washing is permitted only with the use of a nozzle having an automatic shut-off.
(4) 
Fountains and other decorative water features shall recirculate water.
(5) 
Drinking water shall be served only upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased.
(b) 
Customers shall comply with the following irrigation practices at all times and regardless of whether any stage of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan has been activated and are subject to enforcement action in accordance with Section 3-4.406 of this Code:
(1) 
Irrigation shall occur after 5:00 p.m. and before 10:00 a.m. No irrigation is permitted during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
(2) 
Irrigation shall not run off to streets, gutters or adjacent properties.
(3) 
The District shall assist in the promotion of water efficient irrigation practices by monitoring compliance with landscaping plans approved by cities and the county under the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. The District shall notify the city or county with jurisdiction by law if it is determined that a landscaping plan has been breached.
(4) 
Limit the number of watering days, maximum irrigation system runtime durations, and other limitations or prohibitions with or without certain exemptions, if and as determined by a Resolution of the Board.
Customers are encouraged to make the most efficient use of the potable and recycled water supplies. The District may by resolution offer financial and other incentives to customers who replace high volume water use equipment, appliances and devices with low volume water use equipment, appliances and devices.
[Amended by Res. 2548, 3-12-2019; Res. 2617, 1-17-2023]
(a) 
Customers shall be notified in writing when the first violation of this article is discovered by the District. The notice shall include a warning that further violations could result in stricter penalties as set forth below.
(b) 
Customers who violate this article for a second time within a twelve-month period have committed an infraction punishable by a fine set forth in set forth in Section 7-1.113(a) of this Code.
(c) 
Customers who violate this article for a third time within a twelve-month period have committed an infraction punishable by a fine set forth in set forth in Section 7-1.113(b) of this Code.
(d) 
Customers who violate this article for a fourth time within a twelve-month period have committed an infraction punishable by a fine set forth in set forth in Section 7-1.113(c) of this Code.
(e) 
The District may install flow restrictors or terminate service to customers who have violated provisions of this article five times within a twelve-month period.
(f) 
Customers shall be encouraged to report violations of this article through the District’s water conservation “hot line.”
(g) 
Fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in a special fund to promote water conservation.
(h) 
Customers may appeal enforcement fines to the General Manager.
[Amended by Res. 2481, 1-12-2016; Res. 2617, 1-17-2023]
The Water Shortage Contingency Plan establishes four stages of escalating response to a water shortage caused by droughts and emergencies. Each stage may be triggered by a declaration from federal or state authorities, Metropolitan Water District, or the District to address events that result in a water shortage. The Water Shortage Contingency Plan is incorporated by reference.
(a) 
Stage 1 – Water Shortage Alert.
Stage 1 is a condition resulting in a 0 to 10% water shortage necessitating a voluntary water use reduction. The District will initiate a public information campaign to increase awareness of water conservation measures specified in Section 3-4.404. Customers are expected to perform voluntary water use reductions and adhere to on-going water conservation measures.
(b) 
Stage 2 – Water Shortage Warning.
Stage 2 is a condition resulting in a 10 to 20% water shortage necessitating a higher level of voluntary water use reduction. The District will expand the public information campaign and step up enforcement of water conservation measures. Customers are expected to re-double voluntary water use reductions and strictly adhere to water conservation measures.
(c) 
Stage 3 – Water Shortage Emergency.
Stage 3 is a condition resulting in a 20 to 50% water shortage necessitating mandatory water use reductions. Depending on the severity of the shortage, the District will intensify the public information campaign and expand enforcement of water conservation measures. Additionally, the Board will determine the appropriate drought factor for water budgets if necessary.
(d) 
Stage 4 – Critical Water Shortage Emergency.
Stage 4 is a condition resulting in a 50% or higher water shortage necessitating prohibition of outdoor water use for irrigation, pools, and fountains. The District will implement crisis communications and activate its Emergency Operations Center. Customers shall be required to terminate all outdoor use except as necessary to protect public health and safety and/or as may be allowed by a Resolution adopted by the Board. Additionally, the Board will determine reduction in indoor water budgets if necessary.