This week the Pasadena Water and Power Department issued mandatory conservation measures to alleviate the serious water shortage that Pasadena is now suffering.

The Level 1 water shortage procedures for residents are:

1. Outdoor watering is now restricted to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from April 1st to October 31st, and starting on November 1, 2009 through March 31st of 2010, outdoor watering is to be done on Saturdays only.

2. There is to be no outdoor watering from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the exceptions of watering by hand or drip irrigation. This means that your outdoor watering has to take place after 7:00 p.m. and before 9:00 a.m.

3. You must repair broken sprinkler systems, plumbing systems and fix any leaks within 72 hours of being detected.

4. Absolutely no hosing down pavement, you can use a broom or a leaf blower instead.

5. There must be no excess of water flow or runoff on pavements or gutters from watering your landscape.

6. Any fountains or water features must have a recirculating water system.

7. You must wash your vehicles with a hand-held bucket or a hose with a shut-off nozzle (this does not apply to commercial car washes.)

8. You cannot to water your lawn when it is raining.

The Level 1 water shortage procedures for businesses are:

1. Restaurants cannot serve drinking water unless requested by the customer.

2. Restaurants are required to use water-saving dishwashing spray valves

3. Hotels and motels must give their customers the option to decline daily bed linen and towel changes.

4. Buildings requesting a new water service cannot install a single-pass cooling system.

5. New commercial car washes and laundromats cannot install non-recirculating water systems.

6. As of July 1st, 2010 all commercial car washes must have a recirculating water system or get a city waiver.

These restrictions will be enforced by Pasadena Municipal Code 13.10, which is being enforced with formal written warnings for the first offense, any subsequent violations will incur fines of up to $1000.00 dollars per incident.

Here are seven more tips on water conservation:

Use water-smart plants, plants that are indigenous to the area, in your yard instead of grass.

Mulch your plants to prevent evaporation and conserve water.

When shaving, brushing your teeth or hand washing dishes, turn off the faucet instead of letting it run.

Run full loads of laundry and dishes instead of partial loads.

Take five minute showers.

Install a grey water system to recycle your water, using it more than once.

Remember to install energy efficient fixtures and appliances, the City of Pasadena has a great rebate program, so you can save money while you're saving water. Call the City of Pasadena's Water Shortage Hotline at 626-744-8888 to get rebate information.

For more tips on how to save water, go to Eight Ways to Reduce Water Waste

Image by Sergey Galushko