El Monte, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Recycled water systems
- Must accommodate current and future use
- Installed systems
- Must meet state and local design standards
- Recycled-water landscapes
- 'Special landscape area,' ET factor capped at 1.0
- Decorative water features
- Recycled water required where available
- Stage 3 drought
- Fountains must use recycled water or shut off
Summary
El Monte requires new and rehabilitated landscapes to be built ready for recycled water irrigation under Municipal Code 17.74.170. Recycled water systems must allow for current and future use, must meet state and local design and operating standards, and landscapes actually using recycled water are treated as special landscape areas with a stricter water-budget adjustment factor.
17.74.170 - Recycled water. A.The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water.B.All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws.C.Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The Estimated Total (ET) Adjustment Factor for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0.
Full Breakdown
74's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, governs how new and rehabilitated landscape projects in El Monte must accommodate recycled water. Subsection A requires the installation of recycled water irrigation systems to allow for both current and future use of recycled water, meaning a project's irrigation infrastructure has to be built compatible with a recycled water supply even if the project isn't hooked up to one immediately. Subsection B requires every recycled water irrigation system that is installed to be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws.
0. 030(A)(2)(b). 02 of the Municipal Code, the city goes further and requires ornamental fountains and similar decorative water features to stop operating entirely unless they run on recycled water, and expressly exempts golf courses irrigated solely with reclaimed wastewater from the drought-stage fairway watering ban.
Violations & Fines
A landscape documentation package that fails to identify recycled-water-irrigated areas, or a recycled water irrigation system installed without meeting state and local design and operating standards, is out of compliance with Section 17.74.170 and can be rejected at the city's landscape documentation review under Section 17.74.040 before any permit issues. During a Stage 3 drought alert, running a decorative fountain on potable water instead of recycled water violates the separate conservation measures in Chapter 14.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Monte require new landscaping to be recycled-water ready?
What counts as a 'special landscape area' under El Monte's water rules?
Can I run a decorative fountain during a drought in El Monte?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Monte
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