West Covina, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

West Covina's Article VII emergency conservation ordinance defines the "Water" it restricts narrowly: Sec. " That exclusion carries real weight during a declared shortage. Sec. 23-323(b)(2) lets vehicle washing continue "with reclaimed wastewater, or by a commercial car wash using recycled water" even when a Phase I shortage otherwise limits washing to a bucket or shutoff nozzle, and Sec. 23-323(b)(3) allows decorative fountains, ponds, and lakes to keep running on recycled water when other sources are banned. Phase II and III restrictions under Sections 23-324(b)(2) and 23-325(b)(2) carry the same carve-out for commercial nurseries, golf courses, and public open space irrigated with reclaimed water.

Outside of any shortage declaration, the city's cross-connection control program in Sec. 23-249(c)(1) imposes a standing plumbing requirement wherever recycled water is actually used: any premises where "the public water system is used to supplement the reclaimed water supply" or where "reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system" must install an air-gap separation, unless the health agency and water supplier approve a reduced-pressure device instead. The director of public works administers this program under Sec. 23-248 and can discontinue potable service to any premises with an unprotected cross-connection until the defect is corrected.