Water Conservation Ordinance
El Paso Municipal Code: Title 15 PUBLIC SERVICES, Chapter 15.13 WATER CONSERVATION
The Water Conservation Ordinance, which applies to any person who uses water
from the El Paso Water Utilities supply
system, contains mandatory year-round restrictions
on certain water use activities and prohibits
water waste.
- Landscape Watering Days: There is no
residential watering on Mondays; however,
customers of El Paso Water Utilities can
water their landscapes three days a week,
year-round as follows:
- EVEN numbered addresses are allowed
to water Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays.
- ODD numbered addresses are allowed
to water Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Sundays.
- Schools, parks, cemeteries, golf
courses and industrial sites are allowed
to water Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays.
- Times Restrictions: From April 1 through
September 30, outdoor watering is only
permitted before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00
p.m. on designated EVEN or ODD days.
Variances: If a customer
desires a change in irrigation days and
hours, it is the customer's responsibility
to apply for a variance and demonstrate
hardship By contacting the Water Conservation
Department at (915) 594-5508. A Review Board
can modify established schedules or approve
requests for variances. Variances are based
on the Review Board's recommendations and
are usually granted to customers that, because
of age or health, depend on someone else
to do yard work, or for those out-dated
irrigation systems that can't irrigate within
the allotted time. All variances are discontinued
during water emergencies and drought Stages
2 and 3.
Permits:
- Landscape Watering Permits are granted
for a 30-day period for establishment
of new lawns.
- One-day permits are granted for the
application of either chemicals or fertilizer.
These permits allow the customer to water
as needed; however, water is never to be
allowed to run into the street. It is the
customer's responsibility to call the Water
Conservation Department at (915) 594-5508
to request permits.
Landscape permits and chemical permits
will be limited when drought restrictions
are in effect.
Car washing: Residential
Car washing is only allowed if a bucket
and/or a hand-held hose equipped with a
positive shut-off nozzle is used. During
a water emergency or during Stage 3 drought
restrictions, washing of vehicles will only
be permitted at commercial establishments
equipped with treatment and recycling systems
and approved by the El Paso Water Utilities.
Fundraising Car washing events can only
be held at commercial car wash establishments.
The following uses of water are
defined as “wasting water” and
are prohibited:
- Landscape watering on the wrong day
and/or wrong time
- Allowing water to flow into public right
of way or storm water drainage system.
- Failure to repair a leak within five
working days of the discovery of the same.
Washing down impervious surfaces, except
in emergencies to remove spills of hazardous
materials or eliminate dangerous conditions.
Issuance of citations:
Violations to this ordinance can result
in a Class C misdemeanor citation. Fines
can range from $50 to $500 per citation.
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