City of Santa Fe Water Conservation Office
Water Conservation Rules & Regulations for residential water customers
- No outdoor watering between 10am and 6pm from May – October.
- Turf grass sod or grass seed mixed must contain less than 25 percent Kentucky Bluegrass.
- Overspray and runoff while watering plants prohibited.
- Permit required for all new irrigation system installations and for major renovations of existing systems.
- Overhead spray irrigation is prohibited for watering trees and shrubs.
- A backflow prevention device, certified under the Uniform Plumbing Code is required for all systems connected to the city water system.
- Santa Fe residents are allowed to wash their vehicles at home but only once a month and only with a nozzle that automatically shuts off when not in use.
- Residents are not allowed to use a power washer or hose to clean driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, outdoor eating areas and other hard surfaces.
- Automatic shut-off nozzles are required on hoses used for hand watering.
- Outdoor swimming pools must be covered when not in use.
Water Conservation Rules & Regulations for commercial water customers
- Nurseries and landscapers must provide low water use landscape literature and water-efficient irrigation guidelines to customers with the purchase of perennial plants and sod or grass seed, or with a landscape service contract.
- Commercial car sale lots and other commercial and governmental entities are limited to washing each vehicle one time per month unless there is a demonstrated public health or safety reason for more frequent washings.
- Public, semi-public, and governmental entities are required to post water conservation signage in restroom and shower facilities. (The Water Conservation Office offers signs free of charge.)
- Hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities shall provide a water conservation informational card or brochure in a visible location in each guest room. (The Water Conservation Office offers table tents and towel hangers free of charge.)
- All public and private eating establishments shall provide water only on request and shall clearly communicate this to customers through table tents, a note on the menu, or clearly visible signage. (The Water Conservation Office offers table tents free of charge.)
- Lodging facilities shall not change the sheets and towels move than once every four (4) days for guests staying more than one night.
- Title companies and others that close real estate transactions must provide the buyer with city-provided water conservation literature.
- The City will provide new water customers with water conservation literature.