Main content start
2022 Drought Restrictions
California is in a serious drought emergency. Stanford is asking all customers to reduce their outdoor watering to no more than two days per week.
The drought in California is persisting, which has triggered the State of California to impose additional emergency regulations that went into effect this month. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, who supplies Stanford with domestic water, has also increased their call for water use reductions. The following drought response measures to reduce water use are effective as of June 27, 2022:
- Irrigation on Faculty and Staff Housing ornamental landscaping and lawns may occur on Tuesday and Friday nights for even numbered addresses, and Monday and Thursday nights for odd numbered addresses (and those areas without an address), between the hours of 7:00 pm and 7:00 am. (except to ensure continued health of trees, perennial non-turf plantings and food gardens).
-
Irrigation of non-functional turf with potable water is prohibited in institutional and multifamily areas (unless supporting tree health). “Non-functional turf” is turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for community events. Non-functional turf does not include sports fields and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes.
-
Irrigation (both domestic and lake water) on ornamental landscaping and non-functional turf may occur no more than two days per week. (for non-residential customers who irrigate via zone, irrigation of ornamental landscapes is permitted on more than two days per week, so long as each irrigation zone within an individual property is irrigated no more than two days per week.)
-
Functional turf areas (both domestic and lake water) should be stressed based on priority list as appropriate to achieve at least 15% reduction from 2019 use (e.g., non-varsity fields, fairways, lawns within malls/courtyards, etc.)
-
Continue to comply with water waste prohibitions in place since 2014:
-
Using potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways (except for health and safety needs);
-
Allowing more than incidental runoff when irrigating turf and other ornamental landscapes;
-
Using hoses without automatic shutoff nozzles to wash motor vehicles;
- Using potable water in ornamental fountains or decorative water features that do not recirculate the water;
- Irrigating turf and ornamental landscape during and within 48 hours following measurable rainfall
-
