Stages of Drought

To ensure that we maintain safe, clean, and reliable water service to our residential and business customers in all climates and seasons, Cal Water follows a set of drought severity stages to determine the level of water conservation and assess potential water-use restrictions.

Currently, all districts within Cal Water’s service areas are in Stage 1. Please be sure to continue observing any local ordinances in effect.

The 6 stages of drought are as follows:

When Stage 1 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by 10 percent.
  • Residential and business customers are subject to water-use restrictions
  • Outdoor irrigation is subject to limited times
  • Leak repairs must be made in a timely manner
  • Shut-off nozzles are required when using a hose to wash a car
  • Outdoor watering is prohibited within 48 hours of rain

Stage 1 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $50 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators

When Stage 2 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by 20 percent
  • Residential and business customers are subject to additional water-use restrictions
  • Outdoor irrigation by residential and business customers is limited further to 1-3 days per week, depending on local ordinance
  • Use of non-recirculating systems in all new conveyer car wash and commercial laundry systems are prohibited
  • Use of single pass cooling systems in new connections is prohibited

Stage 2 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $100 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators

When Stage 3 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by 30 percent
  • Residential and business customers are subject to additional water-use restrictions
  • Water usage for construction and dust control is prohibited
  • Irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited
  • Filling ornamental lakes or ponds is prohibited

Stage 3 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $200 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators

When Stage 4 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by 40 percent
  • Residential and business customers are subject to additional water-use restrictions
  • Vehicle washing is prohibited, except with recirculated water or low-volume systems
  • Use of water for recreational purposes, such as water parks, is prohibited
  • Filling swimming pools is prohibited

Stage 4 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $400 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators

When Stage 5 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by 50 percent
  • Residential and business customers are subject to additional water-use restrictions
  • Net zero demand increase is required on new water service connections
  • Single-pass cooling systems are prohibited
  • Swimming pool covers are required

Stage 5 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $800 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators

When Stage 6 drought conditions are declared:

  • We implement policies and guidelines for reducing water usage by more than 50 percent
  • Residential and business customers are subject to additional water-use restrictions
  • All landscape irrigation is prohibited
  • New water service connections are prohibited

Stage 6 violators are subject to: 

  • Installation of water measurement devices
  • Fines of up to $1,600 for subsequent violations
  • Possible installation of a flow-restricting device for egregious violators
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