California Drought: Laws & Restrictions You Need to Know

April 2015 – For the first time in California’s history, Governor Jerry Brown has ordered a mandatory restriction on water use. The four-year California drought has reached near crisis levels, leading the governor to issue an executive order that will require the State Water Resources Control Board to impose a 25 percent reduction on California’s 400 local water supply agencies through February 2016. The individual agencies, which serve over 90% of California’s residents, will be responsible for setting restrictions and enforcing them. Each month, your water supplier will send you an account of your previous month’s water usage and notify you of any leaks that are within your control.

The state is imposing restrictions that affect all homeowners and businesses (with the exception of farmers). According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, the following are some of the state-imposed water restrictions you should be aware of:

Water Restrictions for Individuals

• Do not use potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways
• Do not use hoses without shutoff nozzles to wash cars
• Do not use potable water in decorative water features that does not re-circulate the water
• Do not perform outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable rainfall

Water Restrictions for Businesses

• Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers when they ask for it.
• Hotels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.

At Mike Diamond Plumbing, we’re committed to helping homeowners and businesses find ways to conserve water. We also offer professional installation for low-flow and water-saving appliances. Schedule an appointment online or call us today for more info. Our plumbers will show up on time and smell good or the house call is free!