Water conservation rules are a way for the city of Santa Fe to reduce per capita water demands. These rules require citizens and businesses to comply with water conservation regulations. The city offers financial incentives through the water rates structure for compliance and assesses fees for non-compliance.
What are the outdoor water use rules?
Irrigation and watering regulations
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Do not water between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between May 1 and October 31. Due to evaporation rates, more water will be used during the heat of the day.
- Limit watering to no more than three days a week and one of those days should be on the weekend.
- Do not overspray or let water run into the street when watering plants.
- Do not use an overhead spray to water trees and shrubs.
- Use less than 25 percent Kentucky Bluegrass for turf grass sod or seed mixes. Other grasses are more well-suited to our area.
- Obtain a permit for new irrigation systems or a major renovation to an existing irrigation system. Additionally, a backflow prevention device is required for all irrigation systems connected to the city water system.
In addition to citizen regulations and requirements, nurseries and landscapers must provide low-water use landscape literature and water-efficient irrigation guidelines to customers when they purchase perennial plants and sod or grass seed, or with a landscape service contract.
Additional outdoor water restrictions
- At-home car washing is restricted to once a month and you must use a nozzle with an automatic shut-off.
- Do not use a power washer or hose to clean driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, outdoor eating areas, or other hard surfaces.
- Commercial car sale lots:
- Must limit washing each vehicle to one time per month unless there is a demonstrated public health or safety reason for more frequent washings.
- Can wash cars at the time of sale or prior to placing a vehicle in the showroom.
What are the indoor water use requirements?
These requirements are primarily for businesses and government agencies. The Water Conservation Office offers the required signage or information free of charge. The City of Santa Fe will provide new water customers with water conservation literature.
- Public, semi-public, and governmental entities must post water conservation signage in restroom and shower facilities.
- Hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities must provide a water conservation informational card or brochure in a visible location in each guest room.
- Property owners or managers must repair minor water system leaks, as determined by the city, within 15 days of initial notification by the Water Division; severe leaks must be repaired immediately.
- Public and private eating establishments may provide water only on request and must clearly communicate this to customers.
- Sheets and towels in lodging facilities cannot be changed more than once every four days for guests who are staying more than one night.
- Title companies and others that close real estate transactions must provide buyers with city-provided water conservation literature.
This article was posted by Alba Burch
