Mandatory Water Conservation Program
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Landscape Watering limited to three days per week

Zone 1
(North of 13th St., Creston, Sherwood, and Linne)
Water Tues, Thurs, Sat.
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Zone 2
(South of 13th St., Creston, Sherwood, and Linne)
Water Wed, Friday, Sun.

No Watering on Monday!
Click on map for more details.

In addition to following the watering schedule, residents and businesses are being asked to reduce landscape water use by an average of 50% this summer season. Some customers may not be able to reduce use by 50% because they are already watering efficiently. Other customers may be able to reduce use by more than 50 percent. The City will be providing information in the coming weeks regarding landscape watering guidelines and conservation methods.

Questions and Answers

Download and print the Conservation FAQ (PDF - Revised 10-15-09).

1. Is compliance with the landscape watering schedule mandatory and what are the penalties for not complying with the schedule?
   Compliance with the irrigation watering schedule is mandatory from May 1 through October 15. During the non-peak season, compliance is voluntary (Oct. 15 through April 30, 2010). See question #11 for penalty amounts for non-compliance during the summer peak season.
2. Are there other mandatory water usage restrictions besides the 3-day watering schedule?
   Yes, in addition to following the watering schedule, the City’s new conservation ordinance prohibits the following:
   • Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including but not limited to any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat or trailer, whether motorized or not is prohibited, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility. Car washing is not subject to the 3-day watering schedule.
   • Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or alleys, is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off device, a low-volume-high-pressure cleaning machine, or a low-volume high-pressure water broom.
   • Watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter or ditch is prohibited.
   • Excessive use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the customers’ plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and in no event more than seven days after written notification by the City of El Paso de Robles, is prohibited.
   • Irrigation of residential and commercial landscapes, including golf courses, parks, school grounds and recreation fields, must occur before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. except for renovation or repair of the irrigation system with an operator present. (Level 1 shortage condition or higher).
3. Residents and businesses are being asked to reduce landscape water use by an average of 50% this summer season. Is this level of reduction mandatory?
   No. Some customers may not be able to reduce use by 50% because they are already watering efficiently. Other customers may be able to reduce use by more than 50 percent. The 50 percent reduction is a goal the City has set for overall outdoor water use during the summer season.
4. Why is the City experiencing a water shortage and why are customers being asked to reduce water use?
   The City depends on wells for 100% of its water supply. Due to ever-increasing demands for groundwater, coupled with statewide drought conditions, a deep production shortfall is predicted for this coming summer. The City will need to take proactive conservation measures to offset the summer seasonal shortfalls and to protect against possible water outages. Demand for water increases dramatically during the May-September period 330% of winter demands.
5. What could happen if customer water demand exceeds supply and the City runs out of water this summer?
   If overall City peak summer water demand is not reduced by 20%, the City may deplete all of its water storage. If that happens, water pressure in the system will drop to unacceptable levels and the water supply could become unsafe to drink. If adequate system pressure is not maintained effected areas may be required to boil water prior to use for drinking or cooking. Additionally, the tanks provide the City with necessary reserve capacity for fire protection. If the tanks drop below minimum levels, water will not be available to fight fires and public safety will be at risk.
6. How much water do I need to apply to my lawn and plants?
   The City will be providing customers with landscape watering guidelines. For more information, call the Water Conservation office at 227-7238.
7. I do not know how to reprogram my irrigation timer to comply with the schedule.
   Please call the water conservation office at 227-7238.
8. I’m doing my part, but my neighbor is not complying with the watering schedule.
   If you provide the address, the City will send somebody out to provide a notice to the customer about complying with the watering schedule.
9. I received a notice of Violation. How much time do I have to adjust my watering schedule before I receive another Notice of Violation?
   Seven days, but it is recommended that you do it as soon as possible.
10. I set my irrigation clock to the watering schedule for my area but it waters on the wrong day?
    When you reset your clock, make sure the timer is set to day of the week on which you are programming your timer. For example, if it is Thursday when you are setting your clock, make sure the clock is set to the correct time of day on Thursday. In addition, put a fresh 9-volt battery in the clock to ensure correct operation in the event of a power outage.
11. I received a notice of Violation.Will I receive a monetary penalty on my water bill? How much are the penalties?
    The City’s water conservation and water shortage contingency plan ordinance, as adopted on June 2, 2009, provides for the following penalties during the summer peak season when compliance with the watering schedule is mandatory: First Notice – warning, Second Notice – warning, Third Notice - $100, Fourth Notice - $200, Fifth Notice - $500, Sixth Notice – Shutoff service.
12. I grow a vegetable garden and some plants require more than 3 days of water per week to become established. Is watering of vegetable gardens allowed on off days?
    Watering of vegetable gardens and watering of livestock are allowed on non-scheduled water days.

Download and print the Conservation FAQ (PDF).