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1. How can I conserve water?

The largest use of water for most customers is outdoor water use. We recommend focusing your conservation efforts on outdoor water use while maintaining your conservation-minded indoor water use. The City's is restricting outdoor water use to 2 days per week, which can accomplish an immediate reduction of 15% to 28%.

Upgrading old appliances, such as washers and toilets, to water-efficient models will also help you save water.

2. What can I do to ensure my pool is as efficient as possible?

A properly managed pool or spa can be an appropriate use of water. Use the following tips to help save water and money:

• Cover Your Pool 
  • An exposed pool loses 50 to 70 gallons of water per square foot per year to evaporation. During the hot summer months, you may lose up to 4 inches of water each week. Pool covers reduce evaporation by 90%, limit windblown debris and conserve energy
• Drain to the Sanitary Sewer 
  • When you drain your pool or spa to the sanitary sewer, you allow the water to be cleaned and used again, rather than wasted. Should the City enter another Stage of the Water Management Plan, you may be unable to fill your pool. Please contact staff at 714-573-3350 to determine what restrictions are in place
• Heat Pool Conservatively 
  • Warmer water means higher evaporation rates. Professionals recommend 78 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal recreational pool temperature
• Maintain Pool Filters 
  • Wash cartridge filters when your pump operating pressure increases by 10 psi (pounds per square inch). You can wash cartridges on landscape areas since chlorinated pool water is diluted with clean water. Never allow wash water to run into the street
• Manage Water Quality 
  • Test pool and spa water frequently and maintain appropriate chemical balances
• Protect the Pool From Wind 
  • Wind exposure can increase evaporation in uncovered pools. Plant trees and shrubs that buffer your pool, but won’t shed or drop leaves in the water
• Test for Leaks 
  • This four-step bucket test may help you determine if you have a leak or a high evaporation rate:
    • Turn off the automatic fill valve
    • Place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line. Place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool
    • Leave the bucket and pool undistributed for several hot days, then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool
    • If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. Contact a pool leak detection specialist

3. Is the City itself complying with the water restrictions of Ordinance Number 1477?

The City stopped irrigating turf medians that utilize potable water in April 2015. City parks that utilize potable water for landscape irrigation are being watered to meet the requirements for Ordinance Number 1477. 

Portions of the City are in the Irvine Ranch Water District service area and utilize recycled water for irrigating public landscape. 

Recycled water is not subject to Ordinance Number 1477.

4. Does the City currently have active water cops?

Yes. The City is utilizing the services of a consulting Code Compliance Officer to assist in public education and enforcement of Ordinance Number 1477. Anyone in violation of Ordinance Number 1477 will be subject to the City's Administrative Citation Program. 

Pre-citations will be provided in accordance with the program to provide water customers with an opportunity to correct the violation before a fine is issued.

5. If I get reported for not complying with the regulations such as over-watering or watering at the wrong time of day, will I get issued a fine?

It is the City’s intent to educate through outreach and community involvement prior to the issuance of any penalties.

The procedures adopted by Council state that prior to the issuance of a, the City will utilize the administrative enforcement program with an emphasis on resolving the matter through personal contact, education, and notices prior to the imposition of any penalty.

6. Do the regulations apply to golf courses?

The Tustin Ranch Golf Course uses non-potable water for irrigation provided by the Irvine Ranch Water District. There are no golf courses within the City's water service area.

7. How are we notifying/educating water customers about the restrictions and what they can do to save water?

A postcard is being mailed to all Tustin Water Services customers letting them know of the updates to the Water Management Plan. 

View the postcard on the Drought Information and Water conservation page.

8. How do I find and fix leaks?

Follow these tips to find leaks inside or outside your home:

• Check Your Irrigation System 
  • Shut off the valve that serves your sprinkler system. Check the flow indicator at the water meter. If the flow indicator stopped moving, the sprinkler system is the problem.
• Check Your Main Service Line 
  • First, you need to find your water shutoff valve. This is usually located at the spigot where the water enters the home. Shut off the valve, cutting off all water to your home, and go in the house and turn on a faucet to make sure the water is off. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is moving, the leak is between the shutoff valve and the water meter
• Check Your Pool 
  • First turn off the automatic fill valve and place a bucket on a step where the bucket rim is at least a few inches above the water line
  • Then place a heavy weight in the bucket and add water until the water level inside the bucket is equal with the water level in the pool. Leave the bucket and pool undisturbed for several hot days, and then compare the water level in the bucket to the water level in the pool. If the water level in the bucket is noticeably higher than the water level in the pool, you may be losing water to a leak. If this is the case, contact a pool leak detection specialist for further assistance.
• Check Your Toilets 
  • Locating a leak is a process of elimination. Shut off one toilet at a time at the wall. In between each shutoff, go out to the water meter and check your flow indicator. If the flow indicator stopped moving, that means the toilet is the culprit. If the flow indicator is moving, that toilet is not the problem. Something else is causing the water flow.
• Check Your Water Softener 
  • Most softeners have a bypass lever. Turn the lever to allow water to bypass the softener. Check the flow indicator at the meter. If the flow indicator is no longer moving, you have isolated the leak to your softener. (You also can check for leaking water-cooled air conditioners, ice machines and reverse osmosis units by turning the bypass lever on each and checking the meter.)
• Locate Your Water Meter 
  • Most residential water meters are located in the front of the home near the street. The first step is to check your water meter for movement. Look at the top of the meter. You'll notice a triangle or small dial called a flow indicator. The black triangle or red dial (low flow indicator) will move whenever water is passing through it. If your meter doesn't have a low flow indicator, you can use the sweep hand on the register to indicate water loss. If either the low flow indicator or the sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak or malfunction.
• Turn Off the Water 
  • Before you look for leaks, make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your home.