Outdoor Water-use Restriction - Restrictions

Restrictions

Typical restrictions include:

• the "odd/even" system, whereby odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered dates, and even-numbered ones on even-numbered dates
• There are also day-based restrictions where water use is restricted to specific days of the week
• time restrictions based on the hour of the day. Usage may be prohibited from noon or late morning until late afternoon or evening. This is the time of day, when much of the spray is lost to evaporation.

The use of drip irrigation systems may or may not be exempt from the restrictions, or be less restricted than normal water sprinklers.

Businesses that use water as a critical part of their operations are usually not exempt. This includes car washs, plant nurseries, and other landscaping companies. A typical restriction on a car wash would be to recycle the water.

Abuse of restrictions usually brings a warning at first, then a fine, and can lead to the cutoff of the water to the home or business. Enforcement is generally by the local water authority or even from police.