The Monterey Peninsula Water District returned to Stage 1 when Governor Newsom issued Executive Order No. N-5-23 on March 24, 2023. The Order rescinded paragraphs of Executive Order No. N-7-22 requiring the State Water Board to direct urban water suppliers to implement Level 2 of their water shortage contingency plans in response to unprecedented drought in California. The District (and California American Water) proactively triggered Stage 2 Water Conservation (Voluntary Reduction in Use) on June 1, 2022. Stage 2 automatically sunset without further action of the Board when the regulatory order was cancelled.

As a result of Executive Order No. N-5-23, Stage 1 Water Conservation (Prohibition on Water Waste) remains in effect. Stage 1 is the lowest level of conservation and requires adherence to a long list of Water Waste rules.

All water users, including municipal uses, are required to comply with Stage 1 Prohibitions on Water Waste, as applicable.  More importantly, this law requires the following actions to save water:

  • Water must only be served upon request of the customer in all restaurants/food service and there must be notification either on the table or on the menu of this requirement.
  • Conservation messages are required in all commercial restrooms, kitchens, and dining areas.
  • All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in a water user’s plumbing or a water distribution system must be repaired within 72 hours of notification that a leak exists. Exceptions may be granted by the General Manager for corrections which are not feasible or practical.
  • Water must not run to waste on sidewalks or gutters.
  • If using a hose to hand water, a positive action shut-off nozzle is required.
  • Potable water should not be used for washing driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard surfaced areas, except in cases where health or safety are at risk and the surface is cleaned with a Water Broom or other water efficient device or method. Water should be used only when traditional brooms are not able to clean the surface in a satisfactory manner.
  • Irrigation must be done before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays only, except for irrigation overseen by a professional gardener or landscaper who is available on Site and that is not exceeding a maximum two watering days per week. Limited hand-watering with a positive-action shut off nozzle or another efficient hand irrigation method is allowed on other days as long as water is not running to waste.
  • Irrigation using water from a well is exempt from the watering day restriction if irrigation is done in an efficient manner. Well irrigators located in urban areas are encouraged to display signage that indicates the water used for irrigation is from a well.
  • Rental property managers/owners are required to provide tenants with information about the water conservation requirements, including the Water Waste and Non-Essential Water Use regulations of the District.

Irrigation of non-functional turf with potable water is prohibited. This State Water Board regulation bans irrigation of grass that is purely ornamental, such as grassy areas in front of or next to buildings. This restriction also applies to common areas in subdivisions/Homeowner Associations.  Parks and areas used for recreation or community purposes are exempt from the prohibition.

If you have questions, please contact Water District conservation staff at 831-658-5601 or email conserve@mpwmd.net.