Sprinkler time limits are based on the type of nozzle or head. Spray heads and bubblers (non-conserving models) are allowed up to 8 minutes per station per day. Rotors and multi-stream rotary heads are allowed 15 minutes per cycle and up to two cycles per day per station. Watering is restricted to before 9:00 am and after 4:00 pm only.

Other previously prohibited uses of water continue to be in effect. Hand watering using a garden hose fitted with a shut off nozzle is allowed any day of the week before 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm. For further information visit http://www.ladwp.com.

Residential Water Efficiency Rebates are still available through May 31st, but funds may run out at any time. The rebates are offered through The Metropolitan Water District’s “SoCal Water$mart Program.” Rebates are offered on a first come first served basis on products such as Weather Based Irrigation Controllers ($150), Rotating Nozzles for Pop-up Spray Head Retrofits ($5/nozzle), and Synthetic Turf ($.60/sf; limited to 1/2 acre of turf replacement). For more information visit the SoCal Water$mart Program website.

For additional information on Pasadena’s water restrictions please visit www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater. If you need sprinkler repair services please request a quote on our Contact Us page. Questions or comments? Cal us at (800) 339-2102 or email us at info @ wcgminc.com. Also visit OCsprinklerrepair.com if you’re located in the Orange County area or wcgminc.com if you need commercial landscape services.

Adding mulch to your planter beds provides many benefits including:

• Retaining moisture and reducing watering requirements
• Helps to keep the weeds down therefore reducing herbicide use
• Provides nitrogen during decomposition, reducing fertilizer need
• Increases the aesthetics of the landscape

The free mulch is available at 9 locations, including:

Lake View Terrace

Address: 11950 Lopez Canyon Rd. Los Angeles, CA 91342 (near Sylmar)
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Everyday (except weekend)

Sheldon-Arleta

Address: 12455 Wicks St. Los Angeles, CA 91352 (near Sun Valley)
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Tuesday and Thursday

West Valley

Address: 16600 Roscoe Pl. Los Angeles, CA 91343 (near North Hills)
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Wednesday and Friday

Donald C. Tillman

Address: 15800 Victory Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 91406 (near Van Nuys)
Entrance South of Densmore Ave. Intersection
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 7:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Sat 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Monday

West L.A.

Address: 6001 Bowcroft St. Los Angeles, CA 90016
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Thursday

East L.A.

Address: 2649 E Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90023
Hours of operation: Fri-Sun 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Wednesday

Elysian Valley

Address: 3000 Gilroy St. Los Angeles, CA 90039
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Monday and Thursday

San Pedro

Address: 1400 N Gaffey St. Los Angeles, CA 90731 (near San Pedro)
Hours of operation: Everyday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Friday

N. Mission Rd.

Address: 850 N Mission Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Hours of operation: Tue/Thu 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. & 2:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
How to get there: Directions Delivery schedule: Thursday (compost) and Friday (mulch)

For further information contact James Kurz at the Bureau of Sanitation (818) 834-5128 or visit http://www.ci.la.ca.us/SAN/srpcd/mulch_giveaway.htm. For more information on how the city processes their compost and mulch visit this link http://www.ci.la.ca.us/SAN/srpcd/mulch_compost.htm. For sprinkler repair issues contact LAsprinklerrepair.com at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com.

Things You Should Know:

• Only the property owner is eligible to apply for the program
• Both residents and local business are eligible as long as they are LBWD customers
• Only the front yard and parkway are eligible; the side and back yard are excluded from the program
• Must submit a simple hand drawn plan and attend an on-line landscape class within 45 days of application approval
• After renovation the new landscape must be maintained and not altered significantly from the original design
• LBWD has $250,000 on hand for the program; approximately 100 residents will receive the full rebate of $2,500
• Your new landscape cannot contain any turf grass, or artificial or synthetic turf
• Your new landscape must be 100% covered with materials such as plants, compost and mulch, and permeable “hardscape
• Plant material must cover at least 65% of the new landscaped area by the time the plants are mature, or after approximately two years

Most importantly (at least from our perspective), the irrigation system, if there is one, MUST be water efficient. Examples of water-efficient irrigation systems include:

• Drip irrigation
• Bubblers for shrubs and trees
• Rotating sprinklers rated at emitting less than one gallon of water per minute
• Pressure regulators, allowing no more pressure than recommended by the manufacturer of the drip system (usually about 10 to 15 psi) or the rotating sprinklers (usually about 35 psi)
• Separate valves for each part of the landscape (known as ‘hydrozones’) that needs a different watering schedule

If you need help installing, making repairs or upgrading your irrigation system, contact LAsprinklerrepair.com by phone at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. For more information on the “The Beautiful Long Beach Lawn to Garden Incentive Program” visit their website here lblawntogarden.com. Also view the LBWD’s March 30th press release here Long Beach Water Department Unveils Citywide Landscape Rebate Program.

New cool-season watering restrictions have gone into effect in the city of Pasadena. As of November 1st, watering outdoors is limited to one time per week. Residents have the option of watering on either Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The new restrictions are to remain in place until March 31, 2010. Watering by hand, drip irrigation, and systems with weather-based controllers are exempt from the one day per week restriction.

Regardless of the time of year, the following instances of water waste are prohibited in Pasadena:

• Watering during periods of rain
• Excessive water flow or runoff onto pavement, gutter, or ditches
• Washing down paved surfaces
• Failure to fix leaks, breaks, or malfunctions within 72 hours

Fines for failing to comply start at $100 and run as high as $500 for residential customers. Non-residential customers can see fines as high as $1,000.

We should also mention that Pasadena Water and Power is currently offering water efficiency rebates though the Metropolitan Water District’s “SoCal Water$mart Program”. The rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates on landscape related purchases include:

• Weather-Based Irrigation Controller $150
• Rotating Nozzles for Pop-Up Spray Head Retrofits $5/nozzle
• Synthetic Turf (limited to 1/2 acre of turf replacement) $0.60/sq ft

For further information on Pasadena’s water restrictions please visit www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater or call the water shortage hotline at (626) 744-8888. For the full details of the SoCal WaterSmart rebate program visit their website or to inquire about your existing reservation or rebate status call (888) 376-3314. If you need irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. For information on residential sprinkler repair service in the Orange County area visit OCsprinklerrepair.com. If you need commercial landscape and irrigation services visit West Coast Grounds Maintenance at wcgminc.com.

Artesia, Bell, Bell Gardens, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Cudahy, Culver City, Downey, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lakewood, La Mirada, Lawndale, Long Beach, Norwalk, Paramount, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, and the communities of Athens, Lennox, and Moneta and vicinity, Los Angeles County, and portions of the City of Los Alamitos, Orange County.

Summary of Restrictions Pertaining to Irrigation Scheduling

Are you only interested in setting your controller? Here’s a quick summary of the restrictions that pertain to the irrigation scheduling. GSWC Region II is currently at Stage I which means that water use is restricted from 9am-5pm, unless you’re hand watering. Hand watering may be done at any time and is not restricted other than a positive shut-off nozzle must be used on the outlet end of the hose. Permanently installed sprinklers may not run longer than 15 minutes per station per day. There is currently no mandatory restriction on what days of the week, nor how many times per week you may water; however, GSWC is requesting that your watering days be cut back to no more than three times per week.

Full List of Non-Essential Water Use Restrictions

Below is the full list of non-essential water use restrictions as taken from literature posted on GSWC’s website:

• Use of water through any connection when the utility has notified the customers in writing to repair broken or defective plumbing, sprinklers, watering or irrigation system and the customer has failed to make such repairs within 5 business days after receipt of such notice.
• Use of water which results in flooding or run-off into gutters, waterways, patios, driveways, or streets.
• Use of water for washing aircraft, cars, buses, boats, trailers, or other vehicles without a positive shut-off nozzle on the outlet end of the hose. Exceptions include washing vehicles at commercial or fleet vehicle washing facilities operated at fixed locations where equipment using water is properly maintained to avoid wasteful use.
• Use of water through a hose for washing buildings, structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas in a manner which results in excessive run-off or waste.
• Use of water for watering streets with trucks, except for initial wash-down for construction purposes (if street sweeping is not feasible), or to protect the health and safety of the public.
• Use of water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of backfill, dust control, or other uses unless no other source of water or other method can be used.
• Use of water for more than minimal landscaping in connection with any new construction.
• Use of water for watering outside plants, lawn, landscape and turf areas. Except that this provision shall not apply to commercial nurseries, golf courses and other water-dependent industries. Below are the water use restrictions at each stage of mandatory conservation and rationing (We are currently at Stage I):

• At Stage 1&2: Water use restricted from 9am – 5pm, except by hand.
• At Stage 3: Water use restricted from 9am – 5pm, watering every other day – no more than three times per week.
• At Stage 4: Water use restricted from 9am – 5pm, watering every other day – no more than two times per week.
• At Stage 5-7: Water use restricted from 9am – 5pm, watering limit to no more than one time per week.

• Use of water for watering outside plants and turf areas using a hand-held hose without a positive shut-off valve.
• Use of water for decorative fountains or the filling or topping off of decorative lakes or ponds. Exceptions are made for those decorative fountains, lakes or ponds which utilize recycled water and are equipped with a recirculation system.
• Limiting the use of water for filling and refilling swimming pools.
• Service of water by any restaurant except upon the request of the patron.
• Use of water for purpose of irrigating landscape by means of permanently installed sprinklers for more than 15 minutes per station per day.
• Hotels must provide guests option to not launder towels and linen on a daily basis.
• Use of water at any car wash that is not equipped with a recirculation.

Further information can be found on Golden State Water’s website or by contacting them at (800) 999-4033. For irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. For information on residential sprinkler repair service in the Orange County area visit OCsprinklerrepair.com. For commercial landscape and irrigation services visit West Coast Grounds Maintenance at wcgminc.com.

The City of Bellflower is the newest in a long line of cities and water districts to implement mandatory watering restrictions. A new ordinance was passed on July 13, 2009 that requires residents and businesses to abide by new rules aimed at reducing water consumption. The new measures are scheduled to start on August 11, 2009 according to the city’s website. Here are some highlights from the new ordinance:

• No hose watering or washing down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, or other paved surfaces
• No watering of landscape between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
• No watering more often than once per day.
• No watering more often than every other day.
• Watering to the extent of excessive runoff due to misaligned or unmaintained sprinklers and/or excessive watering is prohibited.
• Adherence to the ordinance does not relieve property owners from their legal obligation to maintain landscaping as required.

There are additional restrictions including indoor water conservation measures. To view the entire ordinance click here. Fines for violating the new ordinance start at $100. For more information contact Bellflower’s Code Enforcement Division at (562) 804-1424 ext. 2284. For residential irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. If you’re in the Orange County area and would like local news and information please visit OCsprinklerrepair.com. For commercial landscape and irrigation services visit wcgminc.com.

Water Use Prohibitions in the City of Long Beach

1. Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, patios or other outdoor areas with a hose unless using a water-conserving pressurized cleaning device; a simple spray nozzle does not qualify as a water-conserving pressurized cleaning device
2. Irrigating landscape with potable water any day other than Monday, Thursday, or Saturday, except for very short periods of time for the expressed purpose of adjusting or repairing the irrigation system;
3. Irrigating landscape with potable water between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;
4. Irrigating landscape with potable water using stream rotator-type or gear-driven sprinklers for more than fifteen (15) minutes per watering day per station, or for more than ten (10) minutes per watering day per station for all other types of sprinklers. Exempt from these landscape irrigation restrictions are irrigation systems using very low-flow drip-type irrigation when no emitter produces more than two (2) gallons of water per hour;
5. Operating an irrigation system which, in the determination of the General Manager, is significantly water-inefficient by virtue of any or all of the following: excessive over spray, misting, over pressurization, misaligned or tilted spray heads, or any other malfunction or out-of-adjustment condition; and
6. Irrigating landscape using reclaimed water to the point that the landscape becomes saturated and irrigation waters flow off the landscape.
7. Permitting the excess use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected;
8. Watering or irrigating lawns, turf, or landscape areas beyond saturation causing significant runoff, as determined by the Long Beach Water Department (Department);
9. Operating a fountain or other water feature that does not recirculate the water

If you require irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. If you’re in the Orange County area please visit our sister site OCsprinklerrepair.com. If you need commercial landscape services visit www.wcgminc.com.

The city employs a mobile water conservation team known as the ‘Drought Busters’. They patrol the streets looking for water wasters in their marked Toyota Hybrid Priuses. 1st time offenders usually are give a warning, but fines for 2nd time offenders start at $100 and can reach up to $300 for individuals and $600 for businesses. The fines and new water restrictions began on June 1st.

Outdoor watering restrictions include:

• Watering using sprinklers on Monday and Thursday only
• No watering between 9 am and 4 pm
• Watering using rotor (gear driven) type sprinklers is limited to 15 minutes per station, and 10 minutes for all other type of sprinklers (excluding drip)
• No watering of hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or parking areas
• Allowing runoff onto streets and gutters from excessive watering
• Allowing leaks from any pipe or fixture to go unrepaired
• No watering during periods of rain

For more information on outdoor watering restrictions please see our post “Mandatory Water Conservation is Here!” or visit DWP’s website at www.ladwp.com. For irrigation repair services contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. If you’re in the Orange County area please visit our sister site OCsprinklerrepair.com. If you need commercial landscape services visit www.wcgminc.com.

Are you a water waster? Do your sprinklers run during a rain storm? When you water your lawn, does it runoff into the street? If so, your neighbors are watching and they’re using the magic of the internet to tell the whole world about it. Some of your neighbors might be posting videos of your wastefulness on YouTube and similar internet sites. Others may be taking pictures and sending them to your local water agency requesting they send you a notice. With new water restrictions and higher rates occurring in cities such as Los Angeles, neighbors are turning on each other. Every gallon of wasted water, is one less gallon for the rest of us. We all need to do our part to conserve. Southern California is in the midst of a severe drought. Reservoirs are drying up due to unusually low snowfall in the Sierras, expanding population, and environmental issues in the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta. Don’t give your neighbors a reason to turn you in. Keep your irrigation system in tip top working condition and conserve water where you can. Below is a video from KCET with more on the story.

In need of irrigation repair services? Contact LAsprinklerrepair.com at (800) 339-2102 or email info @ wcgminc.com. Services are provided by WCGM, Inc., a licensed landscape contractor.