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1. What are the City's water restrictions, and how do they apply to me?

Fountain Valley has had permanent water conservation requirements in place since 2009 to promote the efficient use of water and reduce or eliminate water waste in the City. These requirements are in effect at all times and additional requirements may be implemented in response to water shortages. All water customers are required to comply with the water conservation requirements. For more information, visit Water Restrictions.

2. When did the restrictions go into effect?

The City has had permanent water conservation requirements in place since 2009 to promote the efficient use of water and reduce or eliminate waste of water in the City. These requirements are in effect at all times and additional requirements may be implemented in response to water shortages.

The City Council of the City of Fountain Valley approved an ordinance repealing and reenacting Chapter 14.18 of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code pertaining to water conservation on June 1, 2021. This action was taken to update the City's Water Conservation Ordinance (FVMC 14.18) to be consistent with the new requirements of the updated California Water Code Section 10632 and the City's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

3. How will the water restrictions be enforced?

Fountain Valley is continuing its efforts (in person, through letters, door hangers, etc.) to make customers aware of violations that occur. This will typically be a step-up process that focuses on education and assistance to help the customer remedy the issue. Customers who violate these regulations will be issued a warning for the first violation and will be subject to fines of up to $1,000 for continued violations. 

4. How is Fountain Valley doing its part?

Fountain Valley is doing many things to reduce water use on public property, such as using recycled water to irrigate landscapes, reducing irrigation run times, and replacing turf and other ornamentals with drought tolerant landscapes. The City has also stopped watering ornamental turf on public street medians as mandated by the State and is exploring drought tolerant alternatives. Fountain Valley will also continue its outreach to the public regarding water conservation and available incentives for customers to install water efficient devices.

5. What are the specific watering requirements for outdoor landscaping?

Outdoor watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Sprinklers may be turned on for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system.

Outdoor watering is limited to no more than 15 minutes per station per day.

Outdoor watering that causes more than incidental water runoff is prohibited.

Watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall is also prohibited. 

6. Can I hand water between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.?

Yes. Watering using a hand-held bucket or similar container, or a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

7. What does no more than 15 minutes per station per day mean?

Outdoor areas are usually broken up into smaller areas for irrigation purposes. One section is watered for a set amount of time and goes off. Then another section is watered and goes off until the entire area has been watered. Each section (usually controlled by its own sprinkler valve) is a "station."  Therefore, each station can be watered for up to 15 minutes per station per day.  

8. What if 15 minutes per station per day is too much?

Outdoor watering is limited to a maximum of 15 minutes per station per day. For most irrigable areas and most irrigation systems, 15 minutes is too long and will result in more than incidental runoff which is prohibited. The time frame was put in place to not only accommodate residential users, but also larger commercial and recreational areas that may need longer to cycle through each station. The combination of 15 minutes per station and no more than incidental runoff should be self-limiting. If someone can water 15 minutes without creating runoff then they can do that. If runoff is created at 5 minutes, then that should be the end of the watering time for that station.

9. How can I prevent runoff?

More than incidental water runoff is prohibited during outdoor watering. It carries pollutants to the ocean, wastes water and is a sign that too much water is being applied to the area. If you are experiencing runoff, reduce the amount of time that you are watering. If the area needs more water, try watering for a short amount of time before 9 a.m. and again after 6 p.m.. Just make sure that your total watering duration per station per day is not more than 15 minutes. You will probably find that you need less than 15 minutes per station per day. 

Overspray is different than runoff. Overspray is when sprinklers reach beyond the area being watered and spray hard surfaces, such as streets, sidewalks and driveways. This can be controlled by turning down sprinklers and/or adjusting the sprinkler heads to better direct the water. If you would like to replace your old sprinkler heads with more water efficient rotating sprinkler nozzles, rebates may be available at www.ocwatersmart.com.

10. Watering of ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited. What is a public street median?

A public street median is the portion of the roadway separating opposing directions of traffic that is owned and maintained by a public entity, such as the City. 

The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the curb is called the parkway. It is within City right-of-way, but it belongs to the homeowner and is the maintenance responsibility of the homeowner. Parkways can be watered on the same schedule as the rest of the outdoor landscaping. If you would like to remove turf in this area and replace it with drought tolerant landscaping, you may do so by requesting an encroachment permit from our Public Works staff. Please know that turf removal rebates might be available through the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC). If you would like more information about turf removal and available rebates, visit our Turf Removal webpage.

11. What resources are available to help me reduce my water use?

There are a wide range of programs and incentives to help you reduce your daily water use. The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and the City of Fountain Valley offer rebates on water efficient devices, like smart sprinkler timers and rotating sprinkler nozzles; rebates for replacing turf with California Friendly landscapes; free home water use surveys and water-wise gardening classes; and much more. For more information, visit our Water Efficiency Rebates & Programs webpage.

12. Do drip irrigation systems have the same restrictions?

No. Landscape irrigation systems that exclusively use very low-flow drip type irrigation systems when no emitter produces more than two gallons of water per hour and weather-based controllers or stream rotor sprinklers that meet a seventy percent efficiency standard are not limited to 15 minutes per station per day. 

13. How are soaker hoses treated?

They are subject to the same restrictions regarding duration (no more than 15 minutes per station per day).

14. Can I use water that I capture in a bucket in the shower while the water is warming up or water I used for cooking vegetables to water my plants?

Absolutely! In fact, we would encourage that. To make the best use of this water, it is suggested that you use it during the evening hours or early morning to minimize evaporation.

15. Is the City encouraging gray water systems?

No. Gray water, while well-meaning for drought conditions, does present other concerns. If there is any runoff, it becomes a pollutant for downstream waters, including the ocean. Additionally, all gray water in the City of Fountain Valley that is sent to waste through inside drains eventually ends up at the Orange County Sanitation District. There it is recycled and converted along with black waste water into potable quality water that is replenished back into the groundwater basin for pumping and potable use.

16. Why are they watering during the day at Mile Square Park?

The Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park, Mile Square Park and the golf courses use recycled water for outdoor irrigation. Recycled water is not potable and is not subject to the water restrictions. Therefore, the watering schedule at the Sports Park will be set to maintain the fields in proper condition for the community's enjoyment.