Water Conservation

Stage 1 Water Watch Restrictions

Irrigation is limited to no more than 15 minutes per day, per station.
Excessive water runoff is prohibited.
Washing down of hard surfaces is prohibited.
Washing of vehicles must be with a hand held bucket or hose equipped with an auto shut-off nozzle.
Water fountains or other decorative water features must have recirculating systems.
Restaurants to serve drinking water only upon request.
Restaurants required to use water conserving dish wash spray valves.
Commercial lodging establishments must offer the option to decline daily linen service.
Washing of vehicles and filling/refilling of pools are only allowed on the designated schedule.
Irrigation is prohibited between the 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on watering days.

Saving Water Outdoors

Running your sprinklers during the day will result in unnecessary water loss from evaporation, due to the higher heat during the day.
Adjust your sprinkler timer to reduce the number of minutes that each station runs to reduce the amount of runoff that comes off your lawn and onto sidewalks and gutters. Make sure your sprinklers are adjusted to reduce wasting water on paved surfaces.
Water your plants deeply enough for the roots to grow deep into the soil. Deeply rooted lawns and plants will be more resistant to drought and require less frequent watering.
Use mulches and composts to help build healthy soils and retain soil moisture, allowing for longer periods between irrigation while conserving hundreds of gallons per month.
Washing of cars, trailers, and boats should only be done on your designated watering days using a bucket and/or hose with automatic shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.
Water should not be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other paved surfaces. This wasted water washes pollutants like oil, brake dust, and other contaminants into the storm drain system and eventually into our waterways and ocean.
Attend a California Friendly Landscape Training seminar available to all Orange County residents. The California Friendly Landscape Training Program is sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and is offered through a partnership with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).

Saving Water Indoors

La Palma resident can do their part to help save water by implementing these easy to follow, -no cost- steps to achieving water savings:

Take shorter showers. They typically use 5 to 8 gallons per minute. Install water-saving shower head. Free water-saving shower heads are available at City Hall to all La Palma residents, while supplies last.
Don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth or use your toilet as a disposal unit to flush used tissue or other debris.
Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when it is full. A dishwasher can help you conserve because it only uses 9 to 12 gallons of water, while hand washing can use up to 20 gallons.
Refrigerate drinking water instead of running the faucet until water runs cool.
Repair your leaks, the American Water Works Association estimates that leaks account for an average of 22 gallons of water per household per day.
Check toilets for leaks. This is the most common indoor problem that we experience. A leaking toilet can waste up to 4,000 gallons a year and a new high efficiency toilet can save as much as six gallons per flush.

How to Read & Use My Water Meter

Use your water meter to manage your water use and identify possible leaks.

Additional Resources