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Water Supply - Frequently Asked Questions
General water supply questions
Western remains in Stage 1 - Water Supply Watch – Water Use Efficiency is a Way of Life. At this stage, Western retail customers are being asked to continue stepping up their efforts to use less by voluntarily reducing their water use by up to 10%.
To learn more about Western's Water Shortage Contingency Plan and water shortage response actions, visit wmwd.com/DroughtActions.
Western is asking customers to continue voluntarily reducing water use, particularly outside, where more than 60 percent of residential water is used. Through continuous, mindful choices about your water use, you can help preserve our region’s vital resource. Don’t be afraid to experiment! One way to experiment is to stress test your lawn and plants to see how much water they need. Try skipping a day, and then two days, and so on to see how little water plants actually need.
You can be part of the water-saving solution by implementing simple steps like these:
- Dial back your irrigation timers
- Fix all leaks and broken sprinklers
- Do not let water run down the street
- Wash full loads of laundry and dishes
- Respond to leaks faster
- Water landscape in the early hours and do not water after rainfall
Do your part to step it up and slow your water flow.
Western is asking customers to continue water use efficiency as a way of life, and reduce their water use by 10%, especially outdoors, where the biggest water savings can be achieved.
For businesses, the drought emergency means that sustained water efficiency and using less water outdoors is a priority. Small efforts like fixing leaks and avoiding water runoff can have a big impact when it comes to using water efficiently.
For Western's commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) customers, the State prohibited potable irrigation of non-functional turf. By June 16, 2022, all CII customers must stop watering turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or civic or community events. Effectively, grass is not used for any purpose other than decoration, and the only time a person walks on it might be to mow it. Western will be working directly with any impacted customers, establishing clear, Board-adopted guidelines for what areas are included in the ban, and boosting customer support programs to make it easy for customers to comply with new state-mandated watering restrictions.
To help you step it up, Western has various customer support tools to help you use water efficiently. Learn more at wmwd.com/Rebates.
Western also provides free water-saving devices for customers including showerheads, faucet aerators, indoor/outdoor water savers, and more. Check out how to get your free water-saving tools at https://westernh2odepot.com/.
Take control of your water usage with one of Western’s many rebate programs. Western partners with MWD to promote a number of regional indoor and outdoor rebate opportunities.
Together, toilets and clothes washers account for approximately 45% of the water used inside your home. Replacing your inefficient clothes washer or toilet may contribute to water savings and a reduced water bill.
• $350 for qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer
• $250 for qualifying premium high-efficiency toilet
Up to 60% of California’s entire residential water supply is applied to home landscapes, yet many landscapes are overwatered due to sprinkler controllers that are not programmed properly. Check out the rebate options below to reduce waste, usage, and homeowner costs.
• Up to $300 for qualifying weather-based irrigation controller
• $5 for each rotating sprinkler nozzle
• $25 per rain barrel and $250 per cistern
The Turf Replacement Program takes a multi-pronged approach to maximize water use and efficiency. Removing turf grass is one of the most water-conscious adjustments a homeowner can make to reduce their water usage and associated costs.
• MWD is currently offering a rebate of $2 per square foot
• Western is currently offering $3 per square foot, for the first 1000 square feet of turf removed
In total, Western customers will receive $5 per square foot, for the first 1000 square feet of turf removed, and $2 per square foot after that. Secure your rebate by visiting SoCalWaterSmart. Once you enter your Western customer information, your rebate will automatically adjust to the correct rebate amounts listed above.
Give us a call! We will send out our landscape and irrigation consultant to check your irrigation system and landscape. They will provide recommendations and savings opportunities. To schedule an appointment with our free service, call (951) 571-7104.
Western offers various resources to help our customers get started with water-wise landscaping including:
• Sustainable landscaping: conserve resources and beautify your landscape with this Landscape Style Guide.
• Western’s water-wise plant list
• Water-saving garden-friendly: a program to help you find climate-appropriate plants
Western Water continues to meet the needs of its customers thanks to proactive investments. Western continually works to advance large-scale stormwater, recycling, and water quality programs to further our water supply goals. For example, the agency is advancing water supply reliability through several efforts, including preparing to purchase excess water available this year and storing it in its local groundwater basins for future dry years. Western Water also invests in innovative infrastructure projects, including groundwater wells, treatment, and conveyance facilities.
Western Water supports Senate Bill 366, the California Water for All initiative, which would transform California water management so that instead of managing for scarcity, the State will work toward water supply targets to ensure we have enough water for communities, agriculture, and the environment.
Western remains in Stage 1 - Water Supply Watch – Water Use Efficiency is a Way of Life. At this stage, Western retail customers are being asked to continue stepping up their efforts to use less by voluntarily reducing their water use by up to 10%.
To learn more about Western's Water Shortage Contingency Plan and water shortage response actions, visit wmwd.com/DroughtActions.
On May 24, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency conservation regulations stating that urban water suppliers must prohibit potable irrigation of non-functional turf for commercial, industrial and institutional customers by June 16, 2022.
Western will be working directly with any impacted customers, providing education about non-functional turf, and boosting customer support programs to make it easy for customers to comply with the new State-mandated watering restrictions. Information will be updated as it is available.
Non-Functional Turf Ban: In May, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency conservation regulations stating that urban water suppliers, like Western, must prohibit commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) customers from using drinking water for irrigation of non-functional turf beginning June 16, 2022.
What is non-functional turf? Non-functional turf is any grass that is ornamental in nature and not used for human recreational purposes, like parks, school fields or sports fields. Western will be working directly with impacted customers, establishing clear guidelines for what areas are included in the restrictions, and boosting customer support programs to assist customers in complying with the new state-mandated watering restrictions.
For businesses, the drought emergency means sustaining water efficiency and using less water outdoors is a priority. While small efforts like fixing leaks, replacing broken sprinklers and avoiding water runoff can have a positive impact, transforming your turf to water-wise landscaping will offer sustained water use efficiency.
Watering Times: CII and landscape customers watering functional turf and trees using drinking water for irrigation—including but not limited to parks, school grounds, highway medians, commercial landscaping, and golf courses—are restricted to watering between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. These customers should adjust automatic irrigation timers according to changing weather patterns and landscape requirements.
Recycled Water: Customers watering with recycled water must provide visible signage on the site that conforms with recycled water use requirements. Customers irrigating with recycled water are encouraged to develop a Water Management Plan that describes how water waste will be eliminated.
For more information, call Western at 951.571.7104.
The State Board has defined “non-functional turf” as turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or civic or community events. Effectively, this applies to grass that is used for decoration, and the only time a person walks on it might be to mow it. This ban does not apply to residential properties, but residents are highly encouraged to reduce outdoor irrigation and convert to water-wise landscapes.
No, only the irrigation of non-functional turf in commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) sectors will be banned. The Board encourages people to reduce turf irrigation on their properties and to convert turf to water-wise landscapes.
Yes, however the State encourages people to prioritize other plants given the severity of the drought and the amount of water required for turf.
Yes. Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and similar entities will be subject to the same prohibition on irrigating non-functional turf as other entities in the CII sectors. Because the ban on irrigating non-functional turf does not apply to the residential sector, individual homes within HOAs will not be affected. The State encourages HOAs to consult with residents on what turf is functional within the HOAs’ properties
Commercial customers using recycled water, including many city parks, golf courses, and industries that use treated wastewater for their landscape irrigation and operational needs, are exempt from the ordinance. In fact, their use of recycled water actually offsets the demand and makes more drinking water available for our customers.