Water shortage restrictions lifted

CITY OF SEAL BEACH

Seal Beach has lifted water restrictions put in place due to a water supply shortage. The city’s ongoing water conservation measures remain in effect.

On May 22, the Seal Beach City Council adopted Resolution 7410 ending the previously declared Level 2 Water Supply Shortage.

The City reduced its shortage level to “Level 0” in response to California’s improved water supply conditions and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order N-5-23, which maintains activities to preserve California’s groundwater basins.

While the City’s Level 2 reductions are no longer in effect, water conservation is always prudent and permanent water waste prohibitions remain in place as stipulated in SBMC 9.37, which details Seal Beach’s water conservation measures.

The City’s permanent, mandatory water conservation measures are effective at all times and are as follows:

• Outdoor watering is prohibited from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., except by use of a handheld bucket or similar container, a handheld hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle or device, or for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system.

• Irrigation of lawns, landscapes or other vegetated areas using a landscape irrigation system is limited to no more than 15 minutes per station per day.

• Outdoor water runoff into public rights-of-way due to incorrectly maintained sprinklers or excessive watering is prohibited.

• Landscape watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited.

• Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or alleys is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards.

• All leaks from plumbing fixtures through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions must be fixed promptly after discovery, but in no case more than seven days after discovery.

• Fountains and decorative water features must use recirculated water.

• Washing a motor vehicle, trailer, boat or other type of mobile equipment must be done with a handheld bucket or by a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

• Restaurants serve water to customers only upon request.

• The installation of nonrecirculating water systems in connection with commercial conveyor car wash and commercial laundry systems is prohibited.

• The installation of single pass cooling systems is prohibited.

The State’s ban on the use of potable water for the irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional sites, including HOAs, continues to remain in effect.

Non-functional turf does not include sports fields and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events, such as parks and school fields. The City will communicate updates to the State’s rulemaking as they become available.

The City of Seal Beach will advise customers if and when conditions warrant any water use restrictions.

For more information, contact Seal Beach Public Works at 562-431-2527, ext. 1431.

LW residents should be aware of the many permanent water conservation measures required by the City of Seal Beach.