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Water Use Restrictions
Summary of Prohibited Water Uses
To practice sustainability and prepare for future droughts, the City is practicing Water Conservation as a Milpitas Way of Life. Although we are not currently in a drought, Milpitas has several permanent water waste restrictions in place, as outlined in the City's Code under Title VIII Ch. 6 – Section 3 Water Conservation Ordinance.
Further Information
For more information on current drought conditions, water use restrictions and water conservation programs, please visit the Save Water Milpitas website or call the City's Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 586-2666.
To report observed water waste use, please submit a report through the MyMilpitas App or call (408) 586-2666.
- Water when it’s cool outside. For sprinkler systems, watering is only allowed before 9 am and after 6 pm.
- Only water outdoors on the four designated days listed in the watering schedule below.
- Addresses ending in Odd number: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
- Addresses ending in Even number: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday
- Without Street Number: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday
- Always use a hose with a nozzle that shuts off automatically when the handle is released for watering landscapes and washing vehicles.
- Don’t let water run into streets or gutters. Watering that results in flooding or runoff in gutters, sidewalks, driveways, or streets is prohibited.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean hard surfaces including sidewalks and driveways.
- Fix leaks as soon as possible. Do not use broken or defective plumbing, sprinkler, watering, or irrigation systems.
- Turn off irrigation systems when it is going to rain. Watering outdoor plants, lawn, grass, landscaping, or turf areas during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited.
- Cover pools and spas when not in use to prevent evaporation.
- Make sure decorative fountains have a recirculating system.
- Provide customers with water only upon request.
- Use a recirculated water system for car wash equipment.
- Do not use water in new, added or altered cooling system equipment unless at least fifty percent (50%) of the water is recycled.
- Do not use water for construction purposes including dust control and compaction.
- Use drip or microspray irrigation in newly constructed homes and buildings.
- Do not use potable water for irrigating non-functional turf. Non-functional turf is defined as lawn areas that are strictly ornamental and do not serve any recreational purposes for humans.
- Examples of non-functional turf include: streetscape turf along sidewalks, parking lots, medians within roundabouts, streetscape frontage areas, etc.
- Trees that are located within non-functional turf areas may still be irrigated, but only as much as necessary.
- More information regarding the state’s non-functional turf watering ban can be found in this emergency regulation fact sheet prepared by the State Resources Control Water Board.