Water Conservation Rules & Recommendations
San José encourages all businesses to conserve water. Please follow these rules as they apply to your business:

1. Be cool — water when it’s coolest. Outdoor watering hours are restricted to before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. and on two designated days when using a sprinkler system:

• 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

2. Be quick — find and fix 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.
3. Be trendy — use gray water (used sink water) to keep waste bins clean.       
4. Be precise — provide customers with water only upon request.
5. Be efficient — use low-flow spray valves when washing dishes by hand. Hand-held spraying fixtures for dishwashing must be fitted with low-flow spray valves that automatically shut off.       
6. Be selective — make daily towel and linen service optional. Hotels must offer guests the option to help conserve water by having fresh towel and linen service only upon request.
7. Be resourceful — use recycled water* for construction activities. Approved commercial uses of the recycled water system include grading, compaction, concrete wetting, dust control, landscape irrigation, pressure washing, and sewer flushing. Use of potable water from hydrants is prohibited. For more information on access to recycled water for the approved uses, please call South Bay Water Recycling at (408) 277-3671.

* Exemptions: The use of recycled water and gray water is exempt from the water conservation rules. There are nearly 800 recycled water customers in the South Bay so you may see landscaping at business, retail, municipal locations, medians and parks being watered during restricted times/days. Certified commercial truck fill customers may also use recycled water for other activities such as street sweeping and power washing.

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 more water saving tips.

To report water waste
Report water waste to the Santa Clara Valley Water District by calling (408) 630-2000 or emailing .