Water Conservation Ordinance Extended Past November 1, 2021

(Posted October 21, 2021) 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 from a bucket and hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, 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 No. 41.  Below is link to the Novato Service Area Drought Guide which contains the full Ordinance No. 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.

West Marin’s Ordinance 39 was also amended to extend Stage 2 past the November 1 end date until such a time as the Board declares that Stage 2 conditions no longer exist.  For West Marin Service Area drought information please click here: West Marin Service Area Drought Guide