Where does Monrovia get its water from?

Monrovia gets its water from the underground aquifer known as the Main San Gabriel Basin. This Basin is near historic lows following years of drought, making water conservation critical for our region. 

Who is the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster and why do they control our region's water? 

Watch the video below to learn more about the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster! Despite the above-average rainfall this past winter, it is critical for our region to continue to conserve water. Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster Executive Officer, Tony Zampiello, issued a press release on February 21, 2019, saying, "It is critical that residents maximize all opportunities to conserve water, even in wet years to preserve long-term, local sustainability of our water supplies”. Zampiello also said that “the simplest way to relate to the Basin is to picture a piggy bank – we have been taking from the bank for over five years and now it is time to start putting it back”. “Remembering that even though the hillsides are green today, the water stored beneath our feet is our future." You can read the full press release here.

Residential Water Conservation Measures 

• Irrigate lawns every fourth day between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. the following day.
• Repair Leaks promptly, within 48 hours of discovery, from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures.
• Do not allow water to run off onto streets, sidewalks, driveways, or any impermeable private or public surfaces. 
• Do not use water to wash sidewalks, walkways, or other hard surfaces, unless necessary for sanitation purposes. 
• Do not use water to wash cars, boats, trailers, or any other motor vehicle by hose, unless used with a shut-off nozzle. 
• Do not use water to clean, fill or maintain decorative fountains ponds, or lakes, unless the water is being recirculated. 

Multi-Family Residential 

If you live in an apartment complex, it may seem more difficult to conserve water. This might be because you don't know how much water your using, or how you can make a difference when your water meter is combined with your neighbors. 

Regardless, follow these tips and tricks to help conserve water as a whole:

• Limit your showers to 5 minutes or less.
• Turn water on as needed when brushing teeth, washing hands or shaving.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Use your dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have full loads.
• Report leaks to your property manager as soon as they're detected.

Commercial Water Conservation Measures 

• Do not use water for dust  control or washing buildings, unless for the purpose of construction as identified in a submitted plan. 

• Do not serve drinking water in restaurants, hotels, cafes, or other public places, unless requested by the customer. 
• Provide customers with the option of choosing to have towels laundered daily, and display proper notification of this option in all guest rooms. 
• Maintain public toilets' and urinals with the best available low-flow technology or waterless toilets', as required by applicable codes. 

"Non-Functional" Turf Watering Restrictions

On May 24^th, the Department of Water Resources adopted an emergency regulation for the prevention of wasteful water uses during a drought. The emergency regulation stipulates that effective June 10, 2022, the use of water is prohibited for irrigation of non-function turf at commercial, industrial and institutional sites, including HOA owned property. This emergency regulation does not affect residential properties including single family homes and apartment complexes. Non-functional turf is turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes.

Non-functional turf DOES NOT include sports fields and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events. In addition, this does not affect the watering of trees or non-turf plantings, however, overwatering is strongly discouraged.

Assembly Bill 1572, signed into California law in October 2023, prohibits the use of potable (drinking) water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII)properties, as well as Homeowners Association (HOA) common areas.

What is the difference between nonfunctional and functional turf?

Nonfunctional turf is any surface of grass that is decorative and does not serve any other function. Examples of nonfunctional turf include:

• Grass on public right-of-ways
• Grass in medians
• Grass in front of businesses and parking lots

 Functional turf is any surface of grass that is used for recreation or community spaces. Examples of functional turf include:

• Parks
• School fields
• Sports fields

Who does this apply to?

• Properties owned by state and local public agencies
• Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties
• HOA common areas, common interest developments, and community service organization

This restriction does not apply to:

• Single-family residential properties
• Multi-family residential properties
• Cemeteries
• Irrigation of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings

When does compliance start?

• January 1, 2027: Properties owned by state and local public agencies
• January 1, 2028: Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties
• January 1, 2029: HOA common areas, common interest groups, and community service organizations
• January 1, 2031: Properties owned by state and local public agencies in disadvantaged communities

Compliance Self-Certification

• CII properties with over 5,000 sq. ft. of irrigated area are required to self-certify compliance to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) every three years starting on June 30, 2030.
• HOA common areas, common interest development, and community service organization properties with over 5,000 sq. ft. of irrigated area are required to self-certify compliance to the SWRCB every three years starting on June 30, 2031.

Monrovia encourages its commercial water customers to replace their nonfunctional turf drought-tolerant landscaping. To apply for turf replacement rebates, please visit our Rebate Information page.

For more information, please visit nonfunctionalturfca.org

• Residential/Commercial Turf Replacement Program
  • Program Updates
    • Now offering $4.00/sq. ft. reimbursement on all eligible projects. (Previously $3.00/sq.ft.)
    • Pre-approval application is required!
  • How to apply?
    • Visit the SoCal WaterSmart webpage to submit an application!

• FREE Outdoor Water Audit Program
  • What does this service offer?
    • Review existing irrigation controller
    • Recommend water savings based on specifics of the property including: vegetation, sun exposure, slope, existing irrigation deficiencies.
    • Programming and training of existing controller
    • Perform leak detection test at water meter.
  • You can also have a licensed technician survey the inside of your property for a $35.00 fee.
  • How to make a reservation?
    • Call (866) 308-8391, Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Reservations should be available to schedule within a week or two. This is subject to change based on popularity of the program.

• Rebates on Devices
  • The City currently offers various rebates for up to $200 for the purchases of qualifying water saving devices. Below are just a few of the many rebates offered by the City of Monrovia in partnership with USGVMWD.
    • Residential
      • Clothes Washer
      • Weather Based Irrigation Controller
      • Rain Barrel
    • Commercial
      • Weather Based Irrigation Controller
      • Rotating Nozzles
      • In-Stem Flow Regulators
      • Large Rotary Nozzle
  • How to apply?
    • Visit the SoCal WaterSmart webpage to see the full list of rebates and to submit an application!

Water Conservation Resources

• Save Our Water - A statewide program aimed at helping Californians reduce their everyday water use.
• Be Water Wise - Water conservation information from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
  • Landscape Training - This link will take you to the Be Water Wise webpage where you can sign up for free online classes related to native landscaping, turf removal, irrigation and more!
• SoCal Water$mart - Information on residential and commercial rebates to help conserve water.
• Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District - Upper District hosts many educational and outreach events.

The City of Monrovia continues to advocate for conservative water usage. However, California needs trees and trees require water. Below are a few tips from Save Our Trees that will help keep your trees alive while using water efficiently and effectively. 

 Save Our Trees when you.... 

1. Prioritize Your Trees - Trees are an investment  and will require more water, time and money to replace a mature tree lost to drought than to keep one alive. Even though the City of Monrovia has imposed watering limitations, it's important to use water responsibly and help keep our trees alive!
2. Check Your Soil - Use a long screwdriver and poke a the soil. If the screwdriver passes easily, the soil is moist. If you can't poke a hole in at least 6", it's time to water. 
3. Limit Pruning - Avoid pruning or fertilizing during dry seasons. Lack of water and too much pruning can stress your tree. Fertilizing your tree will encourage leady growth which will require additional water. 
4. Use Mulch! - Placing mulch around your trees can help keep the moisture from evaporating. Mulch will not compete for water (like turf) and does not radiate heat (like rocks). 
5. Soak Slowly to Avoid Run-Off - Longer and slower soaks can allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil. Use a hose timer to avoid overwatering and run-off. 

The City of Monrovia offers FREE Tree Watering Bags to residents and businesses who are looking to keep their trees healthy while slowing outdoor irrigation of turf. To request your bag, call the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575.