New water restrictions took effect on Wednesday, June 1, as Los Angeles stands mired in its third consecutive year of drought. The restrictions limit outdoor watering to a max of just two days a week for both residential and commercial customers—including small businesses.
As with previously existing restrictions, watering days are determined by street address: customers with even-numbered addresses water on Sundays and Thursdays, while those with odd-numbered addresses water on Mondays and Fridays. Watering continues to be limited to 8 minutes per station—except when using high-efficiency irrigation nozzles, which are limited to 15 minutes per station. All outdoor watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The updated restrictions come after record-setting dry weather in early 2022, which resulted in California reservoir levels and the Sierra snowpack measuring well below normal. In late April, water supplier Metropolitan Water District (MWD) declared a water shortage emergency in parts of Southern California. It also announced that affected member agencies—including LADWP—would need to curtail their water use to avoid fines. To meet MWD’s monthly water limits, LA officials opted to restrict outdoor watering to two days per week.
Even if your business doesn’t have a lawn, now is the time for us all to evaluate our water usage and ensure we are responsible water consumers. And our programs and rebates are here to help your small business achieve water conservation in a way that works for you.
Free Water Conservation Items for Commercial Customers
Cut your water use simply by turning on the tap. We offer free water conservation items to our commercial customers—including bathroom faucet aerators, break room/kitchen faucet aerators, and showerheads. Water and financial savings from their use add up quickly: a single bathroom or kitchen faucet aerator can save up to 900 gallons of water a year. Order here to start saving now!
Water Conservation Rebate Program
We’ve teamed up with MWD to provide rebates for the purchase of water-conserving equipment. Commercial rebates recently increased to $300 for premium high-efficiency toilets. Business customers can also save on high-efficiency urinals, air-cooled ice machines, high-efficiency irrigation nozzles, connectionless food steamers, and more.
Technical Assistance Program
Maximize your business’s water conservation by modernizing your equipment and technology through the Technical Assistance Program. The program pays up to $2 million in rebates for eligible custom water conservation projects, leased equipment, and performance-based measures. Each project is unique but may include upgrades to existing industrial equipment, such as installing a new tunnel washer or replacing a dye machine.
Turf Replacement Program
Turf replacement rebates aren’t just for our residential customers. Your business is eligible, too! Reduce your small business’s utility bill and water usage by transforming your thirsty turf into sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping. The Turf Replacement Program offers rebates of up to $3 per square foot.
