Level 2 SFID Mandatory Water Use Restrictions

Author: RSF Post

Date: August 4, 2014

The Santa Fe Irrigation District  is expected to pass a level 2 response to water shortages at its next meeting on August 21st. These restrictions would be implemented by the end of the month. The SFID is currently under a level 1 response.

The following is a list of the response level 2 restrictions on water use:

• Stop water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation, such as runoff, low head drainage, or overspray, etc. Similarly, stop water flows onto non-targeted areas, such as adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, hardscapes, roadways, or structures.

• Irrigate residential and commercial landscape before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.

• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than three (3) assigned days per week on a schedule established by the general manager and posted by the District.

• Limit lawn watering and commercial landscape watering to no more than ten (10) minutes per watering station per assigned day. Irrigation run times shall be adjusted to avoid runoff. This provision does not apply to landscape irrigation systems using water efficient devices, including but not limited to: weather based controllers, drip/micro-irrigation systems and stream rotor sprinklers.

• Water landscape areas, including trees and shrubs located on residential and commercial properties and not irrigation by a landscape irrigation system, no more than three (3) days per week by using a bucket, hand-held hose with a positive shut-off nozzle, or low-volume non-spray irrigation.

• Use a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle or bucket to water landscaped areas, including trees and shrubs located on residential and commercial properties that are not irrigated by a landscape irrigation system.

• Stop washing down paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or patios, except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitation hazards.

• Watering of livestock is permitted at any time.

• Use recirculated water to operate ornamental fountains.

• Wash vehicles using a bucket and a hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle, mobile high pressure/low volume wash system, or at a commercial site that reclaims water on-site. Avoid washing during hot conditions when additional water is required due to evaporation.

• Serve and refill water in restaurants and other food service establishments only on request.

• Irrigate nursery and commercial grower’s products before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only. Watering is permitted at any time with a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, a bucket, or when a drip/micro-irrigation system/equipment is used. Irrigation of nursery propagation beds is permitted at any time.

• Repair all water leaks within 72 hours of notification by the District unless other arrangements are made with the General Manager.

Read the entire article on RSF Review here.