Update Aug 6, 2014: Due to the ongoing water drought, Arcadians are now restricted from watering lawns from from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or receiving a glass of water in a restaurant without asking for it.
In response to the the State of California’s recent emergency regulations requiring local agencies to restrict water use due to the drought now in its third year, the Arcadia City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night, Aug. 5, to impose Phase 1 Mandatory Prohibitions of its current Water Conservation Plan. These prohibitions are unique to Arcadia and will complement the current voluntary conservation methods residents are already practicing. Violators will receive a warning and five days to comply, followed by a second warning and an additional three days to comply before receiving a citation with a fine of up to $100.
Phase I includes the following prohibitions:
No hose washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or parking areas
No water shall be used to clean, fill, or maintain levels in decorative fountains, unless such water is part of a recycling system
No lawn, landscape, or turf areas shall be watered or irrigated between the hours of 10:00AM and 4:00PM
No lawn, landscape, or turf areas shall be watered in a wasteful manner
No Arcadia water customer shall permit water to leak from any facilities on his premises
No restaurant, hotel, café, cafeteria, or other public place where food is served or offered for sale shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested by the customer Until the prohibitions take effect, we ask that residents continue using water efficiently.
Aside from the Phase I prohibitions that will be considered on Aug. 5, residents are asked to continue to use water efficiently and to conserve whenever possible. Below are some tips to help reduce the amount of water your household uses:
Limit car washing
Limit landscape watering to the minimum necessary for plants to survive
Reuse household water when possible
Eliminate continuous running of water while shaving or rinsing dishes
Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usage
Limit showers to four minutes when possible
Check plumbing, faucets, and toilets for leaks and repair immediately
Wash full loads in clothes washers and dishwashers
Use flow restriction and other water-saving devices where possible
Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler
Turn off the water when shampooing your hair or brushing your teeth
Cover your pool and heat it sparingly
Sweep and mop your driveway and sidewalks; do not hose down your sidewalk
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call the Public Works Services Department at 256-6554.
Water Efficiency Rebates City of Arcadia water customers qualify for water saving improvement rebates through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Visit http://socalwatersmart.com to view a list of residential and commercial water saving improvement rebates.
Free Irrigation Audit Poorly functioning sprinklers and over-watered landscapes waste water and increase the number of pollutants flowing into storm drains. Water is mostly wasted in your garden in months prior to or just after the rainy season when intermittent rains occur and you water plants that do not need the water. The City of Arcadia offers free irrigation audits to its residents. To schedule a free irrigation audit, please call the City of Arcadia Public Works Services Department at 256-6554.
Water Efficient Landscape
Property owners and developers planning projects with new or renovated landscaping that require a City permit must comply with the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance. Irrigation accounts for more than 60% of water use. A carefully designed and selected landscape with the appropriate plants can minimize water waste and provide for a beautiful yard. The Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance requires smart irrigation controllers and the use of drought tolerant plants. For additional information or questions, please call the Development Services Department at 574-5423.
Helpful water conservation websites:
Metropolitan Water District: www.mwdh2o.com/ Save our Water: www.saveourh20.org Smart Gardening: www.dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/sg/ Waterwise: www.bewaterwise.com