California Drought
Utility Management Services is firmly committed to producing and delivering a safe, dependable supply of quality water in an efficient, cost-effective manner with service that exceeds the expectations of our customer. We continue to closely monitor the status of the drought. Together we can manage the drought.
Utilize the following links to get informed on how the drought will impact you.
US Drought Monitor for California
CA Dept of Water Resources – Current Conditions
California Drought Actions by Governor Newsom
With his October 19, 2021 proclamations, Governor Newsom has declared a Statewide Drought Emergency. Utility Management Services is asking its customers to voluntarily conserve to maintain water supplies for the health and safety of all customers.
Stages of Drought
The following stages of the drought are set by the state to ensure that we maintain adequate safe, clean and reliable water.
Click each Stage on the left for a summary of the water shortage response actions as required by the State.
Currently, all of the districts that Utility Management Services manages are in Stage 2.
When Stage 1 drought restrictions are declared:
- The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks
- The use of potable water in a water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system
- The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within forty-eight (48) hours after measurable rainfall
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 restrictions are declared:
- 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 restrictions are declared:
- 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 restrictions are declared:
- 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 restrictions are declared:
- 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 restrictions are declared:
- 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
Additional Residential and Business Restrictions Per Stage
Each Stage is Subject to the Restrictions of the Previous Stages in Addition to the ones Listed Below
Additional Restrictions
- Shut-off nozzles are required on hoses for car washing.
- Washing hard surfaces, such as power washing a driveway, is prohibited.
- Runoff from landscape irrigation is prohibited.
- Outdoor watering is prohibited within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.
- Landscape watering of newly constructed homes is prohibited.
- Decorative features, such as fountains, must use recirculated water.
- Customers are required to repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions in a timely manner.
- The use of non-recirculating systems in all new conveyer car wash and commercial laundry systems is prohibited.
- The use of single pass cooling systems in new connections is prohibited.
- Restaurants may not serve water to customers unless requested.
- Hotels and motels must offer guests an opt-out option for linen service.
- Outdoor irrigation by residential and business customers is limited to 1-3 days per week, depending on local ordinances.
- The use of potable water for construction and dust control is prohibited.
- The use of potable water for street washing is prohibited.
- The use of potable water for irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited.
- Filling of ornamental lakes or ponds is prohibited.
- Vehicle washing, except with recirculated water or low-volume systems, is prohibited.
- Use of water for recreational purposes, such as water parks and the filling of pools, is prohibited.
- Net zero demand increase on new water service connections is required.
- Single-pass cooling systems are prohibited.
- A moratorium on new water service connections is imposed.
- All landscape irrigation is prohibited.