WATER CONSERVATION

California is in a drought

Immediate 20% Reduction in Water is Urged

The average Californian uses 196 gallons of water per day. With the warmer summer months approaching, the City of Lemoore Public Works Department would like to encourage residents to reduce water use by 20% or 38 gallons a day to help conserve water.

Water Conservation
Tips
Tree/Yard Watering
Tips
Maintenance
Procedures

The City of Lemoore has adopted an urgency ordinance amending changes to the Lemoore Water Conservation Plan.

We will be enforcing these regulations.

  1. NO outdoor watering on MONDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY.
  2. EVEN NUMBER ADDRESSES may water on TUESDAY and SATURDAY.
  3. ODD NUMBER ADDRESSES may water on WEDNESDAY and SUNDAY.
  4. No watering between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on designated water days.
  5. Residents with drip irrigations systems will no longer be exempt from watering day restrictions.
  6. Summer water toys may be used in place of sprinklers or hoses on scheduled watering days and watering times.
  7. Washing of cars, boats or other vehicles for residential purposes may be done on any day. Buckets and shut-off nozzles on hoses must be used when washing these vehicles in order to reduce water runoff. Car washes for fundraising events are prohibited.
  8. A permit to drain a swimming pool must be obtained from the Lemoore Public Works department before any work is done. There is no cost to obtain this permit.
  9. The Water Ordinance applies to city supplied water. Residents who are using private wells for irrigation purposes are asked to conserve well water and are encouraged to follow same watering schedule.
  10. Hotels, restaurants and bars shall only provide drinking water to customers upon request.
  11. No person shall allow excessive water to run from their property onto streets or highways. Washing of exterior asphalt or concrete areas are prohibited except as provided for in Health Department or Fire Department regulations.

Penalties have increased for second and subsequent violations as follows:

Second violation- $25; Third violation – $50; Fourth violation – $100; Fourth violation Fifth violation – A written notice will be given of a fifth violation and the City reserves the option to install a flow restrictor in their service until such time that they can assure the Public Works Director that no more waste will occur.

All costs, including overhead, for this installation shall be billed to the customer.

Water Conservation Tips

  1. Fix all leaky toilets, faucets and pipes.
  2. Install aerators on bathroom faucets. (Saves 1.2 gallons per person/day)
  3. Turn off water when shaving, brushing teeth and lathering in the shower. (Saves 10 gallons per person/day)
  4. Take 5 minute showers instead of 10 minute showers. (Savers 12.5 gallons per person/day)
  5. Put a small bucket in the shower to catch some of the water. Use to water your indoor houseplants, patio or outdoor plants.
  6. Run only full loads in the clothes washing machines. (Saves 15-45 gallons per load)
  7. Run dishwasher when full instead of half full. (Saves 5-15 gallons per load)
  8. Put hose nozzles on all outside yard hoses.
  9. Wash cars and boats with a bucket, sponge, and hose with self-closing nozzle.
  10. Use a broom or rake rather than a hose to remove leaves and debris from your driveway, sidewalks, patio and decks.
  11. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
  12. $ SAVING TIP: Change out your yard irrigation controller with a new unit that has a wet weather sensor which will automatically shut the system down when in auto mode if conditions are wet. The savings can pay for the cost in one to two years.

Tree/Yard Watering Tips

  1. During drought months, trees must be given top priority over your lawn, lawns can be replaced in a matter of months, whereas a 20-year-old tree will take 20 years to replace.
  2. Install drip system for trees and shrubs to reduce evaporation.
  3. Reduce landscape watering days to once or twice per week.
  4. Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
  5. Water trees based on size. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering.
  6. Watering a tree for 5 minutes during the spring and summer months (April-September) through a regular garden hose, set at medium pressure, once per week will give a tree approximately 10 gallons of water. Water should be distributed evenly under the entire radius of the canopy of the tree. Cut back watering to one or two times a month during dry winter months (October-March).

Maintenance Procedures

  1. Do not fertilize around trees, vines, rose bushes, and shrubs under drought stress. Salts in fertilizer could burn roots of plants during drought conditions.
  2. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
  3. Water deeply, but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
  4. Mulch can be used around trees and shrubs to reduce moisture loss. Place organic mulch about 3 to 4 inches thick and about 3 to 4 feet in width around trees, shrubs and plants.
  5. Properly prune trees, vines, bushes during times of drought to improve structure limb stability and to remove dead, weakened branches.

Your assistance in the City of Lemoore’s water conservation effort is greatly appreciated.

Related Links

Water Conservation Letter
Water Conservation-
Urgency Ordinance 2015-06