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​Water Conservation in Sacramento County - Frequently Asked Questions ​

What You Can Do:

Each home and business owner can take small steps to conserve water, whether it’s reducing the length of showers, to removing lawns, or replacing plumbing fixtures with low-water use models. 

When planning your landscaping or water use strategy, it’s important to know who your water supplier or purveyor is and comply with their requirements. Find your water purveyor.

General

  1. How much water use do I have to reduce?
  2. Why are there different levels of water restrictions for water companies?
  3. What if I’ve already been reducing; how will I reduce more?
  4. What if I don’t reduce, will I be fined?
  5. I’ve read that agriculture uses most of the water, so what difference does my shorter shower really make?
  6. Where can I find more information?
  7. My neighbor's water runs down the gutter; who do I call? What will be done?
  8. How will water purveyors catch people overwatering if they water at night and the water purveyor only patrols during the day?
  9. Are commercial car washing operations a better use of water?
  10. How are wells monitored during the drought?

Landscaping and Around the House

  1. My neighbor waters 7 days a week. Is that allowed?
  2. Does it make sense to plant new drought resistant plants now knowing they will need water to get established?
  3. Will you pay me to remove my grass?
  4. How do I safely get rid of algae on my sidewalk?
  5. What information is needed when reporting water waste?
  6. How do I know if I have a leak and what do I do about it?
  7. Can I replace my lawn with artificial turf, bark, pavement, or gravel?
  8. How do I change my lawn to drought-tolerant landscaping?
  9. Can I turn off my sprinkler system?
  10. Will I be cited for a brown or patchy lawn?
  11. What can I do to better manage my landscaping during a drought?
  12. What does the County’s Water Conservation Ordinance say about what I can do on my property?
  13. How will the landscape requirements change in the Zoning Code update?
  14. How should I manage my pool during the drought? Can I put in a pool during the drought?
  15. Are individual graywater systems allowed?

County Facilities

  1. What is the County doing to save water?
  2. Why does the County have green grass around its facilities?
  3. Why is the grass so green around the Airport?
  4. Why are the fountains in front of the County Administration still full of running water?
  5. Why has the County approved new homes if we know we will be short of water?

General

 

1. How much water use do I have to reduce?
It will depend on your water purveyor (or supplier). Each may have a different reduction requirement depending on their state mandated reduction percentage. Find your water purveyor.

2. Why are there different levels of water restrictions for water companies? 
State has mandated conservation levels based on a water agency’s per capita water use.  The higher the per capita water use, the higher the conservation requirement.  

3. What if I’ve already been reducing; how will I reduce more?

Your water use will be compared to 2013 usage levels, so this requirement is not in addition to what you conserved last year. 

4. What if I don’t reduce, will I be fined?

Water purveyors generally want to educate their customers and provide incentives for conservation. But if a customer does not make the necessary changes, water purveyors and some municipalities will conduct enforcement. Each purveyor will be reporting their enforcement numbers to the State Water Resources Control Board.

5. I’ve read that agriculture uses most of the water, so what difference does my shorter shower really make?
We are all realizing that water is a precious commodity and as such, we all must do whatever we can to reduce. All small conservation steps will contribute to an overall savings in the state, preserving water for agricultural and residential use.

6. Where can I find more information?
Visit Water Conservation and Drought in Sacramento County or Be Water Smart.

7. My neighbor’s water runs down the gutter; who do I call? What will be done?
Call your water purveyor to report water waste.

8. How will water purveyors catch people overwatering if they water at night and the water purveyor only patrols during the day?
Each company will implement their reduction plans independently, and those plans may include adding staff, reading water usage levels, and instituting fines.  Some purveyors are considering hiring private security firms to patrol at night.

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9. Are commercial car washing operations a better use of water?
Commercial car washes use an average of no more than 40 gallons of fresh water per car. All of that water is either recycled or returned to the environment cleanly. Using a garden hose at home, can use more than 60 gallons in as little as five minutes.

10. How are wells monitored during the drought?
Water purveyors enforce the State’s mandates for their customers. However, since residents on private wells do not receive water from a water purveyor, purveyors have no jurisdiction or enforcement powers over private well users. 

The State Water Resources Control Board enacted the water restrictions, and distributed a media released on May 5 regarding water conservation mandates

Commercial, Industrial and Institutional properties that are not served by a water supplier (or are self-supplied, such as by a groundwater well) also must either reduce water use by 25 percent or restrict outdoor irrigation to no more than two days per week. No reporting is required but these properties must maintain documentation of their water use and practices.

For more information, contact: State ​Water Resources Control Board Enforcement Office (916) 341-5272

Landscaping and Around the House

1. My neighbor waters 7 days a week. Is that allowed? When should we water?  
No, this is not allowed. We recommend watering your lawn very early in the morning, before 6 A.M. or in the evening after 8 P.M. Water no more than 2 days a week on the odd/even schedule. For details on watering schedules visit your water purveyor page.

2. Does it make sense to plant new drought resistant plants now knowing they will need water to get established? 
Even in non-drought years it’s always best to plant in spring or fall. Better to wait to plant new plants until the weather cools a bit and the rainy season is near. 

3. Will you pay me to remove my grass? 
Water purveyors may have programs available; it’s best to check with them directly.

4. How do I safely get rid of algae on my sidewalk?
Algae on sidewalks are caused from water running off your property and the sidewalk remaining wet. We recommend letting the algae dry up and try removing it with a scrub brush. You may also use a biodegradable product that has citric acid like lemon juice or vinegar, but only use the product if there is staining on the concrete. Be careful when using any products, because an excessive amount can enter storm drains and negatively impact our local creeks and rivers. To prevent algae from forming, you can adjust your sprinklers to face only the landscape and reduce watering times. 

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5. What information is needed when reporting water waste?
The days/times of the water waste, description of the issue and the address. Your name and phone number is optional, but preferred in case clarification is needed.

6. How do I know if I have a leak and what do I do about it?
Finding leaks can be difficult. First, we recommend turning off the water to your home. For those with water meters, check your meter (typically found in front of your property) and see if there is any movement. If the water is shut off, there should not be any movement in your water meter. If so, you may have a leak or malfunction. An easy way to check if your toilet is leaking is to place a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If you see the color in the bowl, you may have a change your flapper. Please bring the old flapper to the store with you and replace with the same flapper. A different flapper may cause the toilet to not function well or change the flush volume.

7. Can I replace my lawn with artificial turf, bark, pavement, or gravel? 
Single-family homes may replace lawn and other landscaped areas with artificial turf, bark, gravel or similar materials. Paving or concrete is limited to 40% of the front yard.

If you are considering replacing your lawn, use of drought-tolerant plants that are low maintenance and water efficient is highly recommended. Drought tolerant plants are more sustainable and make for nice, landscaped yards.

Although artificial turf can reduce water use, keep in mind that artificial turf has advantages and disadvantages. It requires light watering from time to time. Additionally, some companies install storm water cisterns underneath turf to collect water. Artificial turf also replaces vegetation and damages healthy soil in your front yard that naturally absorbs runoff and distributes the water to other plants. Live plants are habitats for bees and small animals, cool our houses and even can clean the air and sequester carbon. Artificial turf can also warm up to very high temperatures, particularly in summer, which can heat up the house and be unsafe to play on.

Multi-family, commercial and industrial properties may replace lawn with drought tolerant plantings. In required landscaped areas, use of artificial turf, rock, or pavement is limited to 25% of the landscaped area.

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8. How do I change my lawn to drought-tolerant landscaping? 
Modifying lawn to drought-tolerant landscaping is highly encouraged. For multi-family, commercial and industrial properties, renovation of landscaping to comply with the County Water Conservation Ordinance requires a review by County staff. Contact Michael Wall for information. Visit the links below for resources and great ideas for converting high water use landscapes to water conserving landscapes: 

9. Can I turn off my sprinkler system? 
Turning off irrigation for lawn areas is acceptable.   In making this decision, please consult with your Water District about conservation requirements.

For residential properties, it is highly recommended that tree, shrub, and groundcover areas be maintained and hand watered or irrigated within the limits of their water district requirements. Trees and shrubs require significant maintenance and investment to establish, and are not as easily replaced as lawn.

For multi-family, commercial and industrial properties, trees and shrubs in required landscape areas must be maintained and irrigated or hand watered within the limits of their respective water district requirements. 

10. Will I be cited for a brown or patchy lawn? 
No, you will not be cited for brown or patchy lawn on any property during times of drought, the die-off of lawn areas will not be considered a violation of the County Zoning Code. While you may have a dead/dying lawn, it is necessary to make sure the lawn is not overgrown.  Lawns must remain mowed regardless of health of the lawn. Overgrown lawns whether live or dead, are violations of the County’s Nuisance Code.  

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11. What can I do to better manage my landscaping during a drought? 
In general, seek to reduce the amount of water applied to landscapes, and prioritize the maintenance of trees and shrub areas. 

  • Run irrigation using an automatic controller (or timer), or hand water.  Consider a self-adjusting “smart” controller that reads weather conditions.
  • Irrigate in multiple, short cycles to allow water to soak in and avoid run-off.
  • Mulch shrub and flower beds heavily to slow the evaporation of water from the soil.
  • Avoid maintenance practices that stimulate plant growth, such as pruning, cutting lawns short and frequently, or heavy fertilization. Growth = water use.
  • Repair leaks and “tune” your irrigation to avoid overwatering or spraying onto sidewalks etc.
  • If installing a new landscape, plant from smaller containers such as 4 inch pots or one-gallon containers  vs five gallon or larger. Smaller plants will require less water for establishment.
  • Group plants by similar watering needs.

12. What does the County’s Water Conservation Ordinance say about what I can do on my property?
The County adopted a Water Conservation Ordinance in 1990 which is currently being updated. The Water Conservation Ordinance applies to new construction and major renovations of existing landscaping. The updated ordinance will ensure the County’s ordinance is in full compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order B-29-15 on Severe Drought Conditions.

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13. How will the landscape requirements change in the Zoning Code update?
The County is undergoing a major update of the Zoning Code, slated for adoption in summer 2015. For single-family residential areas:

  • Front yards must be landscaped with drought tolerant plants or other landscaping, except for the allowed paving for parking (maximum 40 percent of the front yard).
  • Irrigation systems, preferably drip or micro-spray, must be provided with new construction, but the use of irrigation may be waived in the event of mandatory conservation measures
  • Other options for landscaping (artificial turf, hardscape materials, etc.) may be considered through design review

Commercial, multi-family, institutional, and industrial properties will have relatively minor changes to landscape requirements in the Zoning Code update. The County will review all ordinances to ensure compliance with State requirements per the Governor’s Executive Order B-29-15 on Severe Drought Conditions. View the Landscaping requirements in the
Sacramento County Zoning Code

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14. How should I manage my pool during the drought? Can I put in a pool during the drought?
This varies depending on your water district’s conservation requirements. Please visit the Regional Water Authority Be Water Smart website to find your water district and check requirements regarding specific restrictions for pools. 

15. Are individual graywater systems allowed?
Yes. The County has adopted the 2013 California Plumbing Code that does allow for graywater systems. Plans and a plumbing permit are required. 

County Facilities

1. What is the County doing to save water?
Sacramento County has been working to reduce water usage in and around their facilities and in all operations. Irrigation has been reduced, low water use plumbing installed in buildings, and non-potable water used on irrigation wherever possible. We will continue to examine practices to reduce the water we use. Read about our ongoing efforts online

2. Why does the County have green grass around its facilities?
Sacramento County waters no more than twice a week as prescribed and is looking to reduce even further. Many County facilities are leased and we are working with landlords to ensure compliance. 

3. Why is the grass so green around the Airport?
The Sacramento International Airport has reduced water usage by 30% since 2013 and uses non-drinkable water from onsite wells; the water has too many chemicals to be used for drinking or agriculture. Learn more about conservation at the airport.

4. Why are the fountains in front of the County Administration still full of running water?
The fountains will not be running, however the Department of General Services will continue to clean, chemically treat, and filter the ponds due to their accessibility to the public. We are not draining them because that will damage the linings, which are quite expensive to replace.  

5. Why has the County approved new homes if we know we will be short of water?
New subdivisions are only approved if a water district can demonstrate sufficient long-term water supplies for that subdivision. Water districts look at many years of rainfall data to help predict what water supplies may look like in the future, making sure that adequate water supply is available in both wet and dry years.  

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