Drought Information

California is facing one of the most severe droughts in history. In response to the drought, the State of California and the City of Bakersfield have implemented specific drought-related guidelines and restrictions. These restrictions are applicable to all City residents.

As a result of recently revised state conservation regulations, the City Council approved a new water conservation target of 9 percent in June 2016. The percentage target is compared to 2013 usage figures to determine if conservation goals are met.

Domestic water users are asked to continue to implement water conservation measures to ensure the City can continue to meet its conservation target. Most regulations, such as alternating outdoor watering days, remain in effect.

Outdoor Irrigation Regulations

The City Council approved an emergency ordinance which includes a limit on thenumber of days City water users can use potable water to irrigate grass and other ornamental landscaping. As of April 23, 2015, all City water users are required to restrict daily outdoor watering based on the address of the property being irrigated.

If the property address is an even number, outdoor irrigation is allowed on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday only.
If the property address is an odd number, outdoor irrigation is allowed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only.
Outdoor irrigation within the city is not allowed on Monday for all properties.

Violators of the City's outdoor watering ordinance are subject to administrative fines of up to $1,000 per occurrence.

Additional Regulations

The limited day water regulation is in addition to all other rules and regulations currently enacted by the State Water Resources Control Board:

Using potable water to wash sidewalks & driveways
Runoff when irrigating with potable water
Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars
Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water
Using outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation
Serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating
The irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street
The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Operators of hotels and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. The hotel or motel shall prominently display notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language

Statewide Drought Information

In May 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a revised statewide water conservation approach. This approach replaces the prior percentage reduction-based water conservation standard with a localized self-certification model. This allows a local water supplier to be able to account for its unique circumstance of water supplies and develop a local water conservation target.

This new methodology along with other watering restrictions will become a part of the state's extended emergency regulations for urban water conservation and will be effective through the end of January 2017.

As a result of the revised state conservation regulations, the City Council approved a new water conservation target of 9 percent in June 2016. The percentage target is compared to 2013 usage figures to determine if conservation goals are met.

For more information on the latest state-mandated water regulations, please visit the State Water Resources Control Board Drought Web Site.

Additional Information

If you have questions regarding local watering restrictions or would like more information on conservation-related programs and rebates within the City, you are encouraged to contact the City Water Resources Department at (661) 326-3715.