EMWD Water Shortage Response Grid

Stage	Status	Description	Water Budgets
Stage 1	Supply Watch	Voluntary Reduction of water use up to 10%	Customers who stay within budget are charged at the same rates in tier 1 and 2
Stage 2	Supply Alert	Voluntary reduction of water use of up to 25%	Customers who stay within budget are charged at the lowest rates in tier 1 and 2
Stage 3	Mandatory Waste Reduction	Enforced through changes to the water budget-based tiered rates throughout Stage 3 as follows:
Stage 3a	Mandatory Waste Reduction	No variances or adjustments allowed for filling swimming pools, establishing landscape, or leaks not repaired within 48 hours	Customer excessive budget rates reduced by 50%
Stage 3b	Mandatory  Water Waste Reduction	Budgets reduced by 50 percent	Customer excessive budget rates reduced by 50%
Stage 3c		Budgets eliminated	Customer tier 3 budgets are eliminated
Stages 4 & 5	Mandatory Outdoor and Indoor Reductions	Reduces customers’ water budgets by varying amounts, depending on the severity of the shortage	Customer water budget reduced. Customers going over budget will be charged at a higher Tier 4 rate

EMWD is asking customers to voluntary reduce their water use in line with Governor Newsom’s request for a 25 percent reduction compared to last year. 

Voluntary reduction of up to 25 percent is encouraged through the on-going enforcement of water use efficiency requirements, EMWD’s water budget-based tiered rates, and penalties for run off. Required customer actions include:

1. No variances allowed for filling pools, establishing new landscape (except Landscapes for Living participation), or leaks not repaired within 48 hours.

2. Customers who are exceeding their water budgets are encouraged to reduce their water use by:

• Cutting down on watering or irrigating lawns, landscapes or other vegetated areas with sprinklers by one day a week. Visit https://landscapesforliving.emwd.org/ to learn more. 
• Repairing all leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in plumbing or distribution systems within 48 hours. 
• Refraining from filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds. 
• Refraining from using potable water to wash or clean a vehicle, including but not limited to, any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat or trailer, whether motorized or not.

EMWD has provided a section on its website filled with tips and a toolbox of ideas for using water wisely. Customers are encouraged to visit and learn more about water saving programs and rebates.