Mountain View Is In Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency

Announcement from the City of Mountain View:

On September 16, 2014 the Mountain View City Council declared a Stage 2 water shortage emergency.

The declaration ensures the City complies with recent State water conservation requirements to limit landscape irrigation in recognition of the increasingly severe drought impacting the State.

The new measures will also help the City continue to meet the conservation goals of its main water suppliers, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commissions (Hetch Hetchy water system) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The Stage 2 water shortage emergency includes several new water use prohibitions:

• Wasting water from broken or defective water systems (must be repaired within five days)
• Washing paved or hard surfaces, except by bucket or for health and safety reasons
• At-home vehicle washing, except by bucket
• Watering or irrigating landscapes:
  • Between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (except by bucket, hose, or for system repair)
  • More than three days per week (for each irrigation station)
  • More than 15 minutes per day (except for drip irrigation or for system repair)
  • During rain events
• Using potable water to fill decorative water features, except to sustain aquatic life (water must be recirculated)
• Using non water-conserving dishwashing spray valves in restaurants
• Providing new linens to hotel guests without offering reuse options
• Constructing or installing and operating new commercial car washes and commercial laundry systems that do not use water-recirculating technologies
• Using potable water for construction needs when recycled water is readily available

In addition, the following water uses are prohibited at all times:

• Using water in a manner that results in flooding or runoff into the gutter
• Serving water in a restaurant, except upon request
• Operating single-pass cooling systems

The City will be monitoring water use practices and issuing warnings for violations. While our first goal is to educate and prevent future water waste, in extreme cases, repeated or flagrant violations may be punishable by fines up to $500 per day.

The City provides conservation information and opportunities for water-saving programs.

To get more information or to help us spot a water violation, visit conservewater.mountainview.gov or call (650) 903-6216.