STAGE 5 WATER RESTRICTIONS - EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
During stage 5 water restrictions, all use of water for any purpose other than drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene is strictly prohibited.
Stage 5 restrictions are implemented when no spare water is available. Severe water
restrictions limit indoor and outdoor water uses as much as possible and are
intended to maintain critical supply.
Stage 5 is activated based on the rare occurrence of a significant emergency, such as
an earthquake, flood, wild land and interface fire, severe weather, or a prolonged
power outage that causes significant impacts to the water system infrastructure.
Stage 5 restrictions apply to businesses in exactly the same way as they do to residential use. If your business uses water as a regular part of its operations, you may need to make adjustments to comply with these restrictions as no permits or exemptions will be issued.
In addition to the following water restrictions, further measures may be
implemented under this stage, if necessary, to maintain community health.
Prohibited uses include:
- ALL WATER USE
- Any water use is prohibited except for human and animal consumption, hygiene, safety, food and beverage preparation, use in firefighting, and by order of a regulatory authority having jurisdiction for health or safety.
For clarity, the following water uses are specifically prohibited unless required for health, safety or sanitary purposes:
- watering lawns, gardens, plants and trees
- washing motor vehicles, boats and other recreational vehicles
- washing outdoor surfaces, exterior windows, or exterior building surfaces
- filing or topping off of pools, hot tubs, ponds or fountains
- mixing concrete
- mechanical services
- spa services
- manufacturing processes
Where reasonably possible, swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains and ponds should be drained for health and safety purposes and such water used for irrigation.
No new lawn permit shall be issued during Stage 5 and no new lawn permit, whenever issued, shall be valid during Stage 5.