Restrictions

Water Waste Restrictions 

Restricted:

  • Watering so much that it runs onto the sidewalk, driveway or other non-landscape areas.
  • Applying water to driveways, sidewalks, concrete or asphalt is prohibited unless to address immediate health and safety needs. Reasonable pressure washer or water broom use is permitted.
  • Watering during and 48 hours after rain (click here to learn more about smart irrigation controllers)
  • Running water to wash vehicles. The use of buckets and stop nozzles on hoses, for rinsing only, shall be permitted.
  • The use of potable water by certain types of properties to irrigate non-functional turf is prohibited statewide under Assembly Bill 1572 and locally by Ordinance 80. Learn more and read DWA's non-functional turf ordinance (Ordinance 80) here. 

Recommended:

  • DWA customers are encouraged not to empty and refill swimming pools from June 1 through October 31.
  • Consider skipping overseeding or limiting areas that are overseeded.

Penalties:

  • First offense: $50 for single-family, $100 for all other
  • Second offense: $100 for single-family, $200 for all other
  • Third offense (and beyond): $250 for single-family, $500 for all other
  • DWA may turn water off to customers not making efforts to comply.
Ordinance 77 (water use restrictions)

Click here to report water waste to DWA.

For questions or comments about the mandatory water waste restrictions, please email Conservation@dwa.org.

California restrictions:

  • See California restrictions and report violations to the state by clicking here.
  • Read State Water Resources Control Board FAQs on water restrictions.

 

How can I report violations? 

For violations of water waste (Level 1) you can report waste to DWA. Our team uses the reports to issue warning letters and to help us better enforce the rules. Please include precise time and location information in your reports.

Do the level 1 restrictions apply to all DWA customers? 

Desert Water Agency's Level 1 water waste prohibitions and restrictions apply to all customers. 

Are there restrictions on watering during the day? 

The DWA Board of Directors on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, voted to return to level 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan. As a result, there are no restrictions on when you can water. 

What time of day can I water? 

Currently, DWA does not have restrictions on when you can water. We recommend that you minimize daylight watering, as the best time of the day to water is before sunrise and/or after sunset (non-daylight hours). 

How does watering at night save water? 

Watering when the sun doesn't shine reduces water lost to evaporation. Take this into consideration when adjusting your irrigation timer and think about cutting back number of minutes you're watering.

How are HOAs affected by these rules? 

HOAs should follow the rules for Level 1 water conservation that includes not allowing over spraying or water runoff and encourages timely repair of broken irrigation. A full list of action under Level 1 of DWA's Water Shortage Contingency Plan can be found in Ordinance 77.

Grass in common areas of HOAs, if not recreational or protective of trees and shrubs, is subject to Ordinance 80.

How does the ban on watering “non-functional turf” affect me? 

As each deadline passes, DWA is prohibiting businesses, governments and HOAs from watering non-functional turf, which is considered grassy areas that are not actively used for community events or recreation. Recycled water use is not subject to this rule and can still be used. Click here for more information on non-functional turf.

How do you know if I am checking for a leak? 

DWA personnel will look for crews or cones in the area that demonstrate the sprinklers are running for a leak check. If these things aren’t visible, our team will issue a citation.

Is DWA going to run out of water? 

Desert Water Agency is not running out of water. In the long run, these restrictions will help our community because they reduce water demand and decrease the amount of imported water needed to replenish our groundwater basin.

What water saving actions are in place? 

To further help save water, DWA, as part of its Level 1 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, will:

  • Have ongoing water waste patrols
  • Actively discourage overseeding
  • Reach out to customers about rules
  • Reduce hydrant and dead-end line flushing
I have more questions that are not answered here, who can I reach out to? 

Please email Conservation@dwa.org or call 760-323-4971, ext. 279, if you have specific questions.