Water conservation measures will remain in effect for San José, Calif., residents and businesses for the time being. During a recent meeting, the city council approved extending the 30% water reduction restrictions until June 30, 2016. The restrictions, put in place on April 21, 2015, were originally set to expire on March 31, 2016.
Although water levels have improved due to community-wide savings, coordination among water retailers, and rainfall from the El Niño winter, the results are not significant enough to recover from the drought in one year.
California’s state water restrictions, originally set to expire in February 2016, have been extended until October 2016. Once statewide evaluations of water supply levels are completed this spring, the State Water Board is expected to propose updated water conservation targets by May of 2016.
To align with the state and regional targets to be set, San José City Council may choose to update the city’s water conservation target for the remainder of the year.
San José’s current water restrictions only apply to potable (drinking) water, not graywater (used water from baths, sinks) or recycled water.
The current restrictions for outdoor watering in San José include:
- If using a sprinkler system, residents and businesses can water outdoors on only two designated days, and only before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
- Odd numbered addresses may water on Mondays and Thursdays;
- Even numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Fridays;
- Properties without an address may water on Mondays and Thursdays.
- If using a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle or a drip irrigation system, residents and businesses can water outdoors before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m., without a designated day restriction. Watering in the cooler hours of the day helps reduce evaporation and allows plants and landscape to absorb more of the water.
- If done in an efficient manner, and before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m., public parks, playing fields, day care centers, golf courses (greens only) and schools are allowed to water outdoors for maintenance; nurseries can water plants and trees for sale.
Watering outdoors at other times is not allowed.
The emergency declaration also prohibits:
- Residents from washing cars at home with potable water. Instead, car washing can be done with graywater or at a commercial car washing facility, which uses a recirculation system.
- Refilling residential swimming pools or outdoor spas more than 1 ft and no initial filling with potable water, with the exception of existing pools that are drained to make leak repairs.
For more information on water conservation rules, tips, and resources, visit www.sjenvironment.org/waterconservation.
Source: City of San José
