Water Waste

Water from sprinkler covering sidewalk and spilling into street

How can I report water waste?

Email us at waterwaste@tucsonaz.gov.

Leave us a message at 520-791-2514.

Submit an online request via the SeeClickFix Tucson App.

Water Waste Ordinance

Since 1984, it has been illegal in Tucson to allow water to escape from private property onto another person's property or public property such as alleys and streets. The Water Waste Ordinance and its updates reinforce the message that it is unethical and unlawful to waste water in Tucson.

Citations for Water Waste

Tucson Water employs conservation inspectors who investigate reported cases of water waste. We also look for evidence of water waste while out on Tucson's streets. A warning is usually issued for a first-time violation and information on how to correct the problem is provided to the individual or business. A citation is written if the problem is not corrected. Under the law, water wasters can be fined a minimum of $250, with subsequent offenses costing more. Depending on circumstances, the ordinance also allows a property manager or landscape contractor to be cited for water waste in addition to the property owner.

Although violations of the Water Waste Ordinance carry the potential for fines and discontinued water service, the goal of conservation inspectors remains educational, even after a citation has been issued. They are available to provide the responsible party with knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively control water use on properties.

The six types of violations listed in the ordinance are:

Allowing water to escape from private property onto public property such as alleys or streets or upon another person's property.
Allowing water to pond in any street or parking lot to a depth greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch or to permit water to pond over a cumulative surface area greater than one hundred fifty (150) square feet on any street or parking lot.
Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, or other impervious surface areas with an open hose, or with a spray nozzle attached to an open hose, or under regular or system pressure, except when required to eliminate conditions that threaten the public health, safety, or welfare. This restriction does not apply to residential customers.
Operating a misting system in unoccupied non-residential areas.
Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with a broken head or emitter, or with a head that is spraying more than ten (10) percent of the spray on a street, parking lot, or sidewalk; this prohibition does not apply unless the head or emitter was designed to deliver more than one (1) gallon of water per hour during normal use.
Failing to repair a controllable leak, including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, or a leaking faucet.

Water Meter Tampering

It also is illegal to tamper with or bypass water meters. The ordinance regulates illegal hose or water meter tie-ins. An amendment to the Tucson City Code related to bypassing water metering places the burden of proof on the customer if the meter has been tampered with. Violators can be fined a minimum of $250, with subsequent offenses costing more