While the City of Sonoma is not currently in a drought emergency, the following nonessential uses of municipal water are prohibited:
- The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, and other hard-surfaced areas by direct hosing, except as may be necessary to properly dispose of flammable or other dangerous liquids or substances, wash away spills that present a trip and fall hazard, or to prevent or eliminate materials dangerous to the public health and safety; provided, that the disposal of such is in conformance with Chapter 13.32 SMC, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control;
- The escape of water through breaks or leaks within the customer’s plumbing or private distribution system for any substantial period within which such break or leak should reasonably have been discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a period of 72 hours after the customer discovers such a break or leak or receives notice from the city is a reasonable time to correct such break or leak or, at a minimum, to stop the flow of water from such break or leak;
- Irrigation in a manner or to an extent that allows excessive runoff of water or unreasonable over-spray of the areas being watered. Every customer is deemed to have his/her water system under control at all times, to know the manner and extent of his/her water use and any runoff, and to employ available alternatives to apply irrigation water in a reasonably efficient manner;
- Washing cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles and machinery directly with a hose not equipped with a shutoff nozzle; and
- Water for nonrecirculating conveyor car wash systems.
The following are exempt from restrictions:
- Use of water supplied by a private well or from a reclaimed wastewater, grey water, or rainwater utilization system
In addition, water users are encouraged to take the following recommended actions:
- Inspect all irrigation systems, repair leaks, and adjust spray heads to provide optimum coverage and eliminate avoidable over-spray.
- For irrigation valves controlling water applied to lawns, vary the minutes of run time consistent with fluctuations in weather.
- Reduce minutes of run-time for each irrigation cycle if water begins to run off to gutters and ditches before the irrigation cycle is completed.
- Utilize water conservation rebates and other incentive programs to replace high water-use plumbing fixtures and appliances with water-efficient models.
- Utilize City information on using water efficiently, reading water meters, repairing ordinary leaks, and applying water efficiently to landscaping.