Integrated Water Resource Managment

Belmont’s code of ordinances enacts certain provisions of the Water Code of the State of California as embodied in article XIV, section 3 of the Constitution of the State of California, which states that maximum beneficial use of the water resources of the state is necessary to prevent the waste or unreasonable use, or unreasonable method of use, of water. The Water Conservation Chapter (§25.5) implements the provisions of the conservation element of the Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan for San Mateo County as adopted on June 20, 1978.

The ordinance promotes water conservation measures, consistent with a comfortable standard of living and a healthy economy, and enabled through timely implementation practices.  These include water metering for all new services, prohibiting unreasonable use of water (including termination of services for water waste), and the use of pressure reducing valves on all new or remodeled structures. It also addresses landscaping practices, including the use of drought-tolerant plants, the use of reclaimed water for irrigation, and reclamation of reuse or runoff water.