Immediate Implementation of Stage 3 Water Restrictions

Dear RCH Members,

Due to continued excessive water consumption, we must implement Stage 3 water restrictions effective this Friday. All watering will cease until the new restrictions take effect. This decision comes as a direct result of extreme usage, including exceeding the 2.8 thresholds on Sunday and multiple instances of non-compliance even on non-watering days. These violations have forced us to move to Stage 3 to conserve our water resources and achieve a 20 percent reduction in daily water demand.

We will be switching to a zone-based watering system, and a schedule, along with a map of designated watering days for each zone will be released shortly. Your cooperation is critical as we work to protect our community’s water supply.

Stage 3 Restrictions:

1. Landscape Irrigation:
• Limited to one day per week on designated watering days.
• Permitted only between hours of 8:00 p.m. to 2 a.m.  These hours can be extended if people stay within the designated day and time allowed.
• Only hand-held hoses with trigger-type wands, hand-held buckets, drip irrigation, or permanently installed automatic sprinkler systems are allowed. The use of hose-end sprinklers is prohibited at all times.
2. Designated Watering Days:

The watering schedule will be broken into zone areas, which will be communicated shortly.

1. Construction Use:
• The use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes under special permits is to be discontinued.
2. Pools:
• Filling or refilling pools is prohibited without agreement and a special permit from RCH.
• Topping off or adding water to swimming pools, wading pools, and Jacuzzi-type pools is permitted only on designated watering days. 
3. Other Restrictions:
• Water use to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rises. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
• Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds utilize reclaimed water.
• Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the RCH Water Supply Corporation.
• The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
• Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas.
• Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection.
• Use of water for dust control.
• Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.
• Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

These stringent measures are necessary to manage our water supply effectively during this period of severe shortage. Non-compliance will result in fines and further penalties. We must work together to ensure the sustainability of our water resources.

Thank you for your immediate attention and cooperation.

Best regards,

Robin Mayall
RCH General Manager