Permanent Water-Use Prohibitions

The San Diego City Council has recently approved restrictions on wasteful water use. These restrictions are permanent and are now in place year-round. San Diego residents are encouraged to report water waste by calling the Water Hotline at (619) 515-3500.

The following prohibitions are now in effect at all times:

• City of San Diego water customers must prohibit excessive irrigation and must immediately correct leaks in their private water systems. The City's regulations now state that customers "shall not allow water to leave their property due to drainage onto adjacent properties or public or private roadways or streets or gutters due to excessive irrigation and/or uncorrected leaks."
  
  
• Customers cannot use a running hose to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate safety or sanitation hazards, unless that hose is connected to a water efficient device such as a commercial water broom.
  
  
• Overfilling of swimming pools and spas is strictly prohibited.
  
  
• All decorative water fountains must use a recirculating pump.
  
  
• Vehicles may only be washed at a commercial car wash or by using a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle or with a hand-held water container.
  
  
• The City will not provide new water service connections for customers using single pass-through cooling systems.
  
  
• All new conveyer car wash and commercial laundry systems connections will be required to employ a recirculating water system.
  
  
• Restaurants and other food establishments shall only serve and refill water for patrons upon request.
  
  
• Guests in hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments will be provided the option of not laundering towels and linens daily.