Carlsbad is served by three water districts, and rules differ according to the needs of each district. All districts work together to coordinate wherever possible to make it easy for the public to know the rules.

The Carlsbad Municipal Water District is a subsidiary district of the City of Carlsbad, delivering water to about 85% of the city. The southern part of the city is served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the eastern area is served by Vallecitos Water District. Find your water district.

The desalination provides about 17% of Carlsbad’s water supply, but conservation still needs to be a way of life in our dry climate. Our region is better prepared than most to withstand a prolonged drought because we have invested in many different water sources.

To report water waste in the CMWD service area, call 442-339-2722 or email water@carlsbadca.gov. Report any observed over-watering, sprinkler overspray or other violations with as much detail as possible, including street address and time of day.

Many parks, street medians and homeowners’ association landscaped areas are irrigated with recycled water, a drought proof supply that is not subject to current water use restrictions.

Did you receive a courtesy notice on your door? This is to make you aware of something a staff member witnessed on your property and provide conservation tips.

The City of Carlsbad is doing its part to help save our precious water resources. For example:

Parks

• Recycled water is used at half of all of the city’s community parks, including the five largest.
• The city uses dozens of “smart controllers” and water efficient irrigation systems and is continuing to upgrade its other irrigation controllers/systems.
• The city has seven artificial turf athletic fields and one artificial turf event area at its parks.

Fixtures

• About three-fourths of city facilities have low flow toilets. The city has plans to replace 44 more with low flow models and 106 with dual flush valves.
• Waterless urinals have been installed in restrooms where increased maintenance is not an issue. The city plans to replace 35 additional urinals with waterless models.
• Most city facilities have water saving faucets.

Landscaping

• The city has a water efficient landscape ordinance that establishes requirements for planning, design, installation and maintenance of water efficient landscapes in new construction.
• Drought tolerant plants are used routinely in new landscaping.
• Natural mulch is being used routinely in landscaped planters to retain moisture in the soil.
• Hundreds of broadcast spray irrigation heads have been replaced with more water efficient stream rotor spray irrigation heads.
• Designated decorative grass that is not irrigated with recycled water is being replaced with drought tolerant landscaping.

Recycled water

• Carlsbad currently has the third largest production of recycled water in the region and recently doubled the recycling plant’s capacity.
• The city has approximately 95 miles of recycled water distribution pipeline. This distribution system supplies more than 700 points of connection, including golf courses, hotels and manufacturing businesses.
• Recycled water is also supplied to many Carlsbad parks, facilities, median planters, shopping areas, freeway landscaping and common areas of homeowners’ associations.