Water Use Rules for Residents
 Outdoor Water Conservation Rules & Recommendations*
Outdoor water use is probably the easiest place to reduce water use since it accounts for roughly half of the average water bill. Please follow these rules:
- Be cool – water when it’s cool, by HAND held hose with an automatic shut off nozzle or irrigation system before 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. With a SPRINKLER system, water before 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. only on two designated days:
- Odd numbered addresses may water on Mondays and Thursdays;
- Even numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Fridays;
- Properties without an address may water on Mondays and Thursdays
- Watering outdoors at other times is not allowed. Less evaporation occurs in the cooler evening and early morning hours — so you can use less water and your plants and landscape will absorb more of it.
- Lawns are incredibly resilient and can tolerate the dry conditions of summer, if left alone. Letting your lawn go dormant and turn brown is okay. The grass will bounce back when rainfall and cool temperatures return in the fall and winter months. Learn more about lawn watering tips.
- Be trendy — use gray water (used water from baths, sinks) to wash your car, take it to a commercial car wash, or leave it dirty. No car washing with potable water.
- Be local — use community pools or the beach. No refilling residential pools/spas more than one foot and no initial filling with potable water, except when existing pools are drained to repair leaks.
- Be quick — fix water leaks as soon as possible. Fix visible leaks as soon as possible. If notified of a leak in your system, fix it within 5 working days. Visit our leaks page to find out how to detect water leaks and fix them.
- Be in control — don’t let water flow into gutters or streets. Beyond minor splashing of surfaces, sprinkler and drip systems and hand watering that cause water to flow into gutters and streets or that make large puddles is not allowed.
- Be a sharp shooter — with automatic shut-off nozzles. Hoses are required to have a nozzle that shuts off automatically when the handle is released. This helps you aim and control the water and can save many gallons.
- Be a sweeper — sweep hard surfaces. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, or other hard surfaces. Note: Hosing is allowed when health and safety issues are a concern.
- Be frugal — water less often and consider rebates. Many plants can survive on less water, especially when the weather starts to cool. Consider replacing lawns and thirsty plants with drought tolerant landscaping and get a rebate from the Santa Clara Valley Water District! For more information visit www.valleywater.org.
* Exemptions: The use of recycled water and graywater is exempt from these rules. There are many recycled water users in the South Bay so you may see daylight watering in landscaping at business, retail, and municipal locations or in medians and parks that are connected to the recycled water system.
** Current water savings restrictions prohibit car washing except with gray water or at a car wash with recirculating water systems.at a car wash with recirculating water systems.
More tips to preserve our drinking water
There are lots of ways to conserve. Shortening your shower by just 5 minutes can save 15 gallons indoors. Find out more about water saving tips.
To report water waste
Report water waste to the Santa Clara Valley Water District by calling (408) 630-2000 or emailing .
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