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For the Record: 8/23/07

Posted on August 23, 2007 by Staff

Editor’s note: Following is the official summary of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority’s year-round water conservation rules. An in-depth look at the rules and the reason for them are available on the OWASA website at owasa.org/pages/yearroundconserv03.asp

  • Conventional spray irrigation is limited to three days per week between 8:00 pm and 9:00 am and to one inch of watering per week. Spray irrigation is permitted at odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and at even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 
  • Spray irrigation is defined as “The application of water to landscaping by means of a device that projects water through the air in the form of small particles or droplets.”
  • You can measure irrigation with a small container such as a tuna can. If you have an irrigation system, you may wish to have the control system adjusted by a company that installs or maintains irrigation systems.
  • Because the soil in our community typically has large amounts of clay, irrigation systems should be adjusted to avoid applying excess water when the soil will no longer accept it. Excessive watering can be harmful to plants and will not encourage the deep root growth needed for healthy plants.
  • The limit of one inch per week is a well-recognized rule of thumb for watering plants. However, less water may be adequate in many cases.
  • The year-round conservation requirements do not apply to newly sodded lawns and new landscaping within the first 30 days of planting, or to newly seeded turf within the first six months of planting. (However, restrictions would apply during a declared water shortage as indicated above.)
  • Watering with a hand-held hose or watering can or with underground, drip irrigation, micro spray, soaker hose or low precipitation “bubbler” watering systems is allowed on any day of the week and at any time of day, subject to the same limit of one inch per week as for spray irrigation.
  • All existing and newly installed irrigation systems must have automatic controllers and a rain or soil moisture sensor to prevent watering during rainfall or when there is sufficient moisture in the ground for plant health and survival.
  • Hoses for outdoor use must have automatic shut-off nozzles.
  • The use of low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators is strongly encouraged where they are not already in place as required by current plumbing codes.
  • The use of rain barrels, cisterns, etc. to store rainwater for irrigation and other suitable purposes is strongly encouraged.
  • Dishwashers and clothes washers should be used only with full loads or with water level settings appropriate for the load size.
  • Restaurants and other dining facilities may serve water only if requested by a customer.
  • Hotels, motels, etc. shall change bed linens only upon request of the customer, upon customer changeover or every five days for long-term customers.
  • If we notify a customer that there is a leak in the customer’s water supply line, irrigation or plumbing system, etc., the customer must fix the leak within 10 days of receiving the notice.
  • Water waste is prohibited. Water waste includes using so much water that it runs onto adjacent properties or street right-of-way or causes ponding on impervious surfaces; failing to fix a leak that is easily repairable; and irrigation during rainfall or when soil moisture is already adequate.

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