Water Conservation

Person holding an Earth with a faucet dripping water

Updated Urban Water Management and Water Shortage Contingency Plans

The City Council of the City of Signal Hill conducted a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 to receive comments on the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). The City’s adopted UWMP and WSCP can be viewed on the City's Water Page.

On June 10, 2022, the City's Water Conservation Program  moved to Level 2 per mandate by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Level 2 Conservation Restrictions

  • Watering Days: The City is currently under Level 2 Water Conservation restrictions. Watering or irrigating is ONLY allowed 2 days per week on Tuesday and Saturday. Watering is allowed between 4pm and 9am ONLY. The watering restrictions are tied to the current water conservation level. Restrictions are not seasonal, they are only changed as a result of a conservation level change.
  • Use of automated outdoor irrigation is prohibited within 48 hours following measurable rainfall.
  • Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks, or Malfunctions: Excessive use, loss, or escape of water through leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing must be repaired within 48 hours unless arrangements have been made with the City.
  • Limits on Washing Vehicles: Using potable water to wash vehicles is prohibited except by use of a handheld bucket or similar container and hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
  • Limits on Filling Residential Swimming Pools and Spas: Initial Filling of residential swimming pools or outdoor spas with potable water is prohibited. Re-filling a residential pool or spa more than one-foot is prohibited.
  • Limits on Filling Ornamental Lakes or Ponds. Filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds is prohibited, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life that has been actively managed within the water feature prior to declaration of a supply shortage level under this ordinance.
  • Commercial Landscape: Owners of commercial, industrial, and institutional  properties (INCLUDING common areas of HOAs) MUST NOT use potable water for irrigation of non-functional turf.
    • Non-Functional Turf is defined as ground cover surface of mowed grass that is solely ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreation purposes.
    •  For more information regarding non-functional turf, visit the State Water Resource Control Board
    • *Grass at City Parks is considered Recreational Turf and is therefore exempt from irrigation restrictions. *
  • Current Water Conservation Ordinance (PDF) (Summary)

Please see the Signal Hill Municipal Code for complete information on the City's Water Conservation ordinances. If you have additional questions about Water Conservation restrictions, please contact Public Works at 562-989-7351.

Water Conservation Chart_ October 2022

Current Water Supply Alert

The City of Signal Hill is serviced by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. In response to the extreme drought conditions throughout California, Metropolitan's Board of Directors declared a Water Supply Alert in mid-August 2021, calling for consumers and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use and help preserve the region's storage reserves. The board’s action urges residents, businesses and agencies in Metropolitan’s 5,200 square-mile service area to lower the region’s water demand to stave off more severe actions in the future, which could include restricting water supplies to Metropolitan’s 26 member agencies.

Tips to save water are available at bewaterwise.com, where Southern Californians can also access rebates that provide funding to swap appliances for more efficient models or transform grass into more sustainable California Friendly® and Native plant gardens.

Water Conservation Rebate Incentives


Conserving water can help you conserve cash as well!  Signal Hill residents and business owners can take advantage of Metropolitan Water District rebates available for water conservation products and projects.  Check out your opportunities to save below:

SoCal Water $mart Residential Rebate

SoCal Water $mart Commercial Rebate

Learn more about water saving plants, appliances, and programs at MWD's BeWaterWise webapge.

Resources

More information on local water restrictions and conservation efforts:

Careful water management is essential to ensure a reliable minimum supply of water to meet current and future water supply needs. Active water conservation measures must be taken at all times, not just during droughts.

For some suggestions on how to maintain your lawn and conserve water, please watch the following video: Grass Can Always Be Greener. You may decide that you'd like to reduce water consumption by opting to remove your lawn and replace it with native plant material. 

Let's not forget about our trees during the drought. For tips on how to save your landscape trees while conserving water, please read Water Wise Tree Care. It is possible to save water and trees (PDF)!

Parkway Landscape Guide and No-Fee Permit

Landscaping the parkway in front of your home with drought tolerant vegetation in combination with, or without, hardscape materials is one way to conserve water. Water Conservation and Landscaping are important partners.

Please see the City's Parkway Landscape Guide (PDF) for some attractive and water conserving ideas. Once you have a plan, contact Public Works for a No-Fee Encroachment Parkway Permit and submit it along with your plan to the Public Works Department for review.

Los Angeles County hosts a series of FREE Smart Gardening Workshops. Sign up for a workshop in your area to learn more about drought tolerant gardening in their beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes.