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1. Is this a State Law requirement?

California Water Code Section 375 authorizes water suppliers to adopt and enforce a comprehensive water conservation program to reduce water consumption and conserve supplies. Article 1.4 of Chapter 2 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the California Civil Code requires that residential and commercial real properties built and available for use or occupancy on or before January 1, 1994, be equipped with water-conserving plumbing fixtures.

2. When does the ordinance come into effect?

The Ordinance came into effect on June 1, 2022. The Water Conservation Ordinance states that all properties constructed before January 1, 1994, will need to be inspected and retrofitted before the time of sale to ensure that they have been updated plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads, and urinals) exclusively with high efficiency plumbing fixtures.

3. Does the Water Conservation Ordinance apply to my household?

All private properties - residential, commercial, and industrial - built on or before January 1, 1994, served by the City of Morgan Hill water utility must abide by the Water Conversation Ordinance 13.04.335. All existing residential, commercial, and industrial buildings shall, at the time of sale, be retrofitted, if not already completed prior to the sale, with high efficiency plumbing fixtures.

4. What fixtures need to be retrofitted?

Showerheads, toilets, and urinals that were manufactured in 1993 or earlier need to be replaced with the new high efficiency fixtures (USEPA WaterSense). The provisions of this chapter shall apply to showers, toilets, and urinals whenever the title to real property is conveyed from the seller to the buyer, for consideration, by means of a grant deed.  

5. Why do I need to retrofit my fixtures?

The purpose of this Ordinance is to reduce long-term demand for potable water within the city water service area in order to ensure a reliable and adequate public water supply by establishing water efficiency standards for interior plumbing fixtures when changes in ownership of real property occur. These standards will become an element of the City of Morgan Hill’s water conservation and supply shortage program. The program’s purposes are to reduce water consumption within the City of Morgan Hill through conservation, enable effective water supply planning, assure reasonable and beneficial use of water, prevent waste of water, and maximize the efficient use of water within the City of Morgan Hill to avoid and minimize the effect and hardship of water shortage to the greatest extent possible.

6. What are the standards for new high efficiency fixtures that I need to switch to?

1. A USEPA WaterSense fixture

 OR

1. Any showerhead rated to use a maximum of 1.8 gallons of water per minute

2. Any high efficiency toilet rated to use a maximum of 1.28 gallons of water per flush (pre-existing toilets that use not more than 1.6 gallons per flush shall be considered to meet the requirements of this code) 

3. Any urinal and associated flush valve rated to use a maximum of 0.125 gallons of water per flush

7. Who is responsible for ensuring that the fixtures are retrofitted?

Homeowners will need to arrange for an inspection to be performed by a qualified licensed plumber, who upon completion of inspection, will complete the Utility Inspection Report (PDF). This completed and approved inspection form is needed in order to receive a Water Conservation Certificate from the City.

8. Who is a Qualified Plumbing Contractor?

A qualified plumbing contractor with meet these requirements:

1. Licensed Contractor with the State of California
2. Has a City of Morgan Hill Business License

9. How do I find a licensed plumber?

Any California licensed plumber with a Morgan Hill business license to perform work in the City of Morgan Hill may conduct this inspection.

10. Where and when do I receive a Water Conservation Certification?

When a qualified licensed plumber comes to inspect all fixtures on the property and passes all fixtures as retrofit within, a Utility Inspection Report Form will be filled out. This completed form will need to be submitted to the City via PSL.WC@morganhill.ca.gov. At this time, the City will review the inspection form and a Water Conservation Certificate will be awarded to the homeowner before property sale. If the inspection fails for any of the fixtures, they will need to be retrofitted (replaced) and another inspection will need to be scheduled to show that the fixtures pass the inspection and meet the high efficiency standards.

11. What if I live in a mobile home?

Mobile homes are not exempt and are responsible for retrofitting plumbing fixtures.