On December 17, 2007, the City Council proclaimed that a projected water shortage exists in Pasadena and implemented Water Shortage Plan I, in accordance with Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) 13.10.040.

Water Shortage Plan I directs all persons in Pasadena and all customers of PWP to adhere to nine water conservation measures. Adherence to these measures is voluntary, but critical for achieving water savings that may help prevent an actual shortage in the city.

PWP urges everyone to adopt lifelong efficient water use habits, for the good of the city and for the good of the environment.

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Water Shortage FAQ

• Council to Hear Public Comment on Proposed Water Waste Penalties: Sept. 22, 2008, Pasadena City Hall, Rm. S249

  (Read Staff Report, approved by Council 8/11/08)

• Governor Proclaims Statewide Drought; Issues Executive Order to Avert Crisis

• Full text of Water Shortage Plan I (PMC 13.10.040)

• Proclamation of the City Council

• Agenda Report from PWP to City Manager

• Memo on Water Shortage delivered to the City's Environmental Advisory Commission on Nov. 13, 2007

• Pasadena's Water Shortage Procedures (PMC 13.10), including Water Shortage Plans I-III

• Conservation measures in addition to those specified in Water Shortage Plan I

Brief Background

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) relies on imported water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to meet 60% of the city’s water needs and could face mandatory rationing in the near future. Record-low rainfall during 2006-2007 and a federal court ruling that restricts pumping activities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have caused MWD to draw from its storage reserves. Although MWD has not formally declared a water shortage, the water stored in reserve is designated for use during shortages and emergencies. Also, water levels in Pasadena’s groundwater wells (40% of the city's supply) are 60 feet below historical norms. If regional drought conditions persist and if MWD curtails its allocation to Pasadena due to pumping restrictions, PWP projects that there will be a water shortage in Pasadena. 

More details and background information
can be found in the Agenda Report.

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Water Shortage Plan I (PMC 13.10.040)

All persons and customers of the department shall, on a voluntary basis, reduce water usage by taking the following water conservation measures:

A. Refrain from hosing or washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas or other paved surfaces;

B. Refrain from cleaning, filling, or maintaining levels in decorative fountains, ponds, lakes, and similar structures unless such structure is equipped with a water recycling system;

C. Refrain from serving drinking water, unless at the express request of a customer, in all restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, or other public places where food is sold, served or offered for sale;

D. Promptly repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures, including but not limited to sprinkler systems;

E. Refrain from allowing water to run off landscape areas into adjoining streets, sidewalks, parking lots or alleys;

F. Refrain from allowing water to run off into adjoining streets, sidewalks, parking lots or alleys while washing vehicles;

G. Refrain from landscape watering more often than once every 3 days;

H. Refrain from landscape watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;

I. Refrain from filling or refilling a swimming pool. (Ord. 6289 § 1 (part), 1988: Ord. 6275 § 1 (part), 1988)
 

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Read full text of Pasadena's Water Shortage Procedures (PMC 13.10), including Water Shortage Plans I-III

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USE WATER WISELY

Take shorter showers - 5 minutes or less Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes Install water-efficient fixtures and appliances - get rebates!		Don't over water lawns - twice a week at most is enough Promptly repair broken sprinklers, plumbing and toilet valves Use a broom - not a hose - to clean driveways and pavement Talk to friends and neighbors and ask them to help save water

More ways to save water...