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City of La Palma
7822 Walker Street
La Palma, CA 90623
Ph: (714) 690-3300
Fx: (714) 523-2141
Water Conservation

With water sources being severely impacted by dry conditions and environmental restrictions being placed on available water, the City of La Palma declared a Stage One Water Watch on December 16, 2008. The City is asking all residents to evaluate their daily water use and find ways to conserve. With higher temperatures water usage increases. The following are some tips to help you conserve water.


Saving Water Outdoors

Adjust your irrigation timer to water before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Running your sprinklers during the day will result in unnecessary water loss from evaporation, due to the higher heat during the day.

 

Adjust your sprinkler timer to reduce the number of minutes that each station runs to reduce the amount of runoff that comes off your lawn and onto sidewalks and gutters. Make sure your sprinklers are adjusted to reduce wasting water on paved surfaces. 

 

Water your plants deeply enough for the roots to grow deep into the soil. Deeply rooted lawns and plants will be more resistant to drought and require less frequent watering.

 

Use mulches and composts to help build healthy soils and retain soil moisture, allowing for longer periods between irrigation while conserving hundreds of gallons per month.

 

Under the current Stage One Water Watch it is strongly recommended that residents water  lawns on designated watering day.  Properties with addresses ending in an even number shall use water on even numbered days and addresses ending in an odd number shall use water on odd numbered days.

 

Washing of cars, trailers, and boats should only be done between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning on your designated watering day using a bucket and/or hose with automatic shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.

 

Water should not be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other paved surfaces. This wasted water washes pollutants like oil, brake dust, and other contaminants into the storm drain system and eventually into our waterways and ocean.

 

Attend a California Friendly Landscape Training seminar available to all Orange County residents. For more information please visit www.mwdoc.com/cafriendly.htm.

 


Saving Water Indoors

Each and every La Palma resident can do their part to help save water by implementing these easy to follow, -no cost- steps to achieving water savings:

  • Take shorter showers.  They typically use 5 to 8 gallons per minute.  Install water-saving shower head.  Free water-saving shower heads are available at City Hall to all La Palma residents, while supplies last.

  • Don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth or use your toilet as a disposal unit to flush used tissue or other debris.

  • Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when it is full. A dishwasher can help you conserve because it only uses 9 to 12 gallons of water, while hand washing can use up to 20 gallons.

  • Refrigerate drinking water instead of running the faucet until water runs cool.

  • Repair your leaks, the American Water Works Association estimates that leaks account for an average of 22 gallons of water per household per day.

  • Check toilets for leaks.  This is the most common indoor problem that we experience.  A leaking toilet can waste up to 4,000 gallons a year and a new high efficiency toilet can save as much as six gallons per flush.


New Water Conservation Ordinance Under Consideration

The entire Southern California area finds itself in an extended drought with water providers using emergency reserves to supply the everyday needs of residents and businesses. The Metropolitan Water District (the primary supplier of water in Southern California) has directed all cities to implement and/or update their existing Water Conservation Ordinances. La Palma enacted a Water Conservation Program in the early 1990’s but it may need to be updated to meet modern standards.

Currently, the City is reviewing its options and preparing to amend the existing Water Conservation program in order to comply with the Metropolitan Water District directive. The components include:

  1. Limits on lawn irrigation – days per week, hours of the day and time per station allowed.
  2. Prohibitions on runoff of water into the street due to overwatering or improperly adjusted sprinklers.
  3. Prohibitions on washing down of driveways or sidewalks.
  4. Requirements to repair water leaks within a specific timeframe.
  5. Limits to allow vehicle washing only with a bucket or hose with automatic shut-off nozzle.
  6. Requirements that drinking water be served at restaurants only upon request.
  7. Requirements that decorative water fountains or water features must use re-circulated water.
  8. Requirements that hotels must provide the option to decline daily linen services.
  9. Requirements for restaurants to install and use water conserving dish wash sprays.
  10. Under severe shortages filling of swimming pools, spas, ornamental lakes or ponds would be limited.

 

The exact rules and regulations will ultimately be determined by the City Council and may vary based on drought conditions and levels of water shortage. To participate in the discussion of water conservation implementation or for more information, please contact the Public Works Department by calling (714) 690-3310 or send an email to: .