Turlock, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Stage 3+ water shortage declared
- Hydrant construction water
- Banned at Stage 3
- Recycled water source
- Regional Water Quality Control Facility
- Use
- Construction purposes only
Summary
Once Turlock declares Stage 3 of its water shortage plan, hydrant meters for construction water are banned, but recycled water from the City's Regional Water Quality Control Facility becomes an approved substitute.
Construction water from City fire hydrants shall be banned but recycled water from the City of Turlock's Regional Water Quality Control Facility may be made available for construction water purposes.
(4) Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment not occurring upon the immediate premises of commercial car washes and commercial service stations and not in immediate interest of the public health, safety, and welfare shall be prohibited.
(5) Further use of decorative fountains or reflection ponds shall be discontinued until further notice.
(d) Stage 4. Mandatory water conservation compliance: Warning. Upon implementation of this chapter by the City Council pursuant to Water Code Section 350, and publication of notice that Stage 4 mandatory water conservation compliance measures are in effect, in addition to the outdoor landscape watering, water use prohibitions, and acts constituting water wasting, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 measures and the following Stage 4 mandatory conservation compliance measures shall apply:
(1) Outdoor landscape watering shall be limited to one (1) day per week, for trees only, only if a quick-acting automatic positive shut-off valve is used and in proper operating condition.
(e)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937289; v6 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Turlock Municipal Code § 6-7-405(c)(3) is part of the City's tiered Emergency Water Shortage Plan. Once the City Council activates Stage 3 mandatory conservation, contractors can no longer draw construction water from City fire hydrants: that use is banned outright. In its place, the code authorizes recycled water from the City of Turlock's Regional Water Quality Control Facility for construction purposes. This is a narrow, conditional rule: it only takes effect once a Stage 3 (or higher) water shortage has been formally declared, and Turlock's code does not otherwise establish a general recycled-water program for routine landscape or construction use outside a declared emergency.
Violations & Fines
Using a City fire hydrant for construction water after Stage 3 is declared is a water-wasting violation under TMC §§ 6-7-407 through -410, carrying escalating fines of $50, $100, then $250 for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get recycled water from Turlock for a construction site?
Does Turlock offer recycled water outside a declared shortage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Turlock
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