2021 Drought Water Use Prohibitions for Novato
(Updated October 28, 2021) On April 20, 2021 the Board adopted an Amended Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance 41 (Ordinance 41) for the Novato Service Area to include further non-essential water use prohibitions and suspension of new connections to the system to go into effect July 1, 2021. The Amended Ordinance 41 now specifically request a 20% voluntary reduction in water use from May 1 to June 30, and mandates a 20% (Novato Service Area Wide) reduction in water use from July 1 to November 1, to be achieved with non-essential water use prohibitions. On October 19, 2021 the Board adopted a second Amended Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance No. 41 (Ordinance 41) for the Novato Service Area to extend the non-essential water use prohibitions, suspension of new connections to the system and drought surcharge (that went into effect July 1, 2021) past November 1, 2021. The Amended Ordinance No. 41 now specifically requests that Stage 2 mandated 20% (Novato Service Area Wide) reduction in water use to be achieved with non-essential water use prohibitions and the current drought surcharge continue until such a time that the Board declares that Stage 2 conditions no longer exist.
The adopted non-essential water use prohibitions include a restriction on overhead irrigation unless the customer can maintain a 20% reduction from 2020 water use, irrigate between 7:00pm and 9:00am, and water only three days per week (assigned by odd and even addresses). Drip irrigation and hand watering would be exempt. Customers using less than 300 gallons per day would be exempt from the 20% reduction but would still have to adhere to the 3 days per week requirement. Additional water use prohibitions include pool filling (for new and refurbished pools drained or constructed after July 1, 2021), potable water use for dust control, car washing except for that a bucket and a quick rinse using a hose nozzle with an automatic shut-off, and golf course irrigation using potable or raw water other than for tees and greens. Recycled water use is exempt from the prohibitions, with the exception of the water waste prohibitions in Ordinance 41. Below is link to the Novato Service Area Drought Guide which contains the full Ordinance 41 and a summary of water-use prohibitions.
Novato Service Area Drought Guide
For all customer questions and comments regarding the 2021 drought water use prohibitions or to report a violation, please use our Water Waste Submittal Form: Water Waste Reporting Form or contact the District’s Water Conservation Hotline at (415) 761-8944 or email at waterconserve@nmwd.com.
For West Marin Service Area information please click here: West Marin Service Area Drought Guide