The City implements Stage 1 of the Water Management Program
Chapter 14.18 of the Municipal Code establishes a Water Management Program for the City based upon the need to conserve water supplies and to avoid or minimize the effects of future water shortages.
City Administrator Fred Wilson and Director of Public Works Travis Hopkins announced March 23rd, 2009, that the City implemented Stage 1 of its Water Management Program. This action was taken in anticipation of expected regional water supply curtailments, which were mandated in July of 2009.
Stage 1 of the program consists of voluntary water conservation measures and is implemented when water supply shortages of 10% or less are imminent. Residents and businesses are urged to reduce interior and exterior uses of water whenever possible to prevent water waste. Specific voluntary measures requested in Stage 1 are:
- Avoid the washing of concrete and other hard surfaces, including driveways, walkways and parking areas, except as required to maintain health or safety, unless a cleaning machine equipped to recycle water is used.
- Use automatic cut-off valves on hoses or use of a bucket when washing vehicles or other items outside.
- Turn off decorative fountains, ponds, lakes and pools unless a water recycling system is used. Eliminate draining and refilling of decorative ponds and fountains unless necessary for health and safety reasons.
- Install pool and spa covers to minimize water loss due to evaporation. Discourage draining and refilling of pools and spas unless necessary for health and safety reasons.
- Schedule irrigation times between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Reduce irrigation times or frequency by 50% where possible. 50-70% of potable water consumption is used for outside irrigation.
- Adjust sprinklers and irrigation systems to avoid over-spray, run-off and waste. Do not allow water to run off landscaped areas into adjoining streets, sidewalks, parking lots or alleys.
- Restaurants shall serve drinking water only upon request.
- Install low-water-using plants combined with hardscape materials and energy-efficient irrigation systems when installing or replacing landscapes.
- Evaluate necessity or frequency of high-water-using activities, such as window washing, exterior walls or other nonessential cleaning.
- Retrofit indoor plumbing fixtures with low-flow devices if appropriate; encourage low-water-using fixtures when replacing existing fixtures.
- Check faucets, toilets, pipes, irrigation systems and meters for leaks and repair immediately.
City of Huntington Beach Water Management Program
Additional water saving tips, water conservation strategies and further information will follow as the website will be continuously expanded and updated. Any questions regarding the Water Management Program or Water Conservation, or to request a free home and garden water survey, please call the Public Works Utilities Division at 714-536-5921.