Navajo Tribal Utility Authority – an enterprise of the Navajo Nation
DROUGHT RESTRICTION POLICY
Water Conservation ImageNTUA promotes water conservation, with the awareness that water in this region is a precious and scarce commodity. Our customers are encouraged to always minimize water used for irrigation, construction, vehicle washing, and other consumptive uses. Also, our customers are encouraged to repair all leaks and drips in their homes and businesses, and to install low flow and low use fixtures. Conservation is NTUA’s position, because every drop counts.

Drought Restrictions are applicable to all water systems operated by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. Not all systems are impacted in the same way by drought, however, these restrictions will be system wide because various communities in the Navajo Nation may require water from less impacted areas. The NTUA will implement these restrictions based solely on the ability of the overall water system to meet the demands of the consumers, and the administration of these Drought Restrictions shall be at the discretion of NTUA.
Stage One Drought Restriction
Defined as water demand exceeding the water supply for three consecutive days. All production and pumping facilities have been running for a minimum of 15 hours per day, yet the volume of water storage continues to decline.

The following water uses are restricted or prohibited. No persons, companies, organizations, or agencies shall: 

1. Irrigate any forms of outside vegetation more than three times per week, and then only between the hours of 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., and 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. No runoff water from irrigation shall be allowed to leave the area being irrigated. 
2. Wash parking lots, sidewalks, or driveways. The washing of vehicles by individual residences shall be permitted only if a bucket and hose with a positive cutoff is used, and no fund-raising car washing events shall be permitted. These restrictions shall not apply to vehicles that must be washed for public health or safety reasons, nor shall these restrictions be applicable to commercial car washes using high pressure, low flow washing facilities.
3. Serve water to restaurant customers unless requested.
4. Use potable water for construction purposes, roadway compaction, or dust control.
5. Draw water from a fire hydrant except for emergencies, or unless NTUA Management provides express permission.
Stage Two Drought Restriction
Defined as water demands exceeding water supplies for seven consecutive days. All production and pumping facilities have been running a minimum of 15 hours per day, yet the volume of water storage continues to decline. 

In addition to those water restrictions defined under a Stage One Drought Restriction, the following water uses are restricted or prohibited. No persons, companies, organizations, or agencies shall:

1. Irrigate any forms of outside vegetation more than one time per week, and then only between the hours of 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., and 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. No runoff water from irrigation shall be permitted to leave the area being irrigated.
2. Wash vehicles at residences; however, the restriction does not apply to vehicles that must be washed for public health or safety reasons, nor shall the restriction apply to public car washes using high pressure, low flow washing facilities.
3. Fill or refill swimming pools, spas, wading pools, or fountains.
4. Haul more than 200 gallons per day of potable water for livestock use.
Stage Three Drought Restriction
Defined as water demands exceeding water supplies for two consecutive weeks. All production and pumping facilities running a minimum of 20 hours per day, yet the volume of water storage continues to decline. 

In addition to those restrictions defined under both Stages One and Two Drought Restrictions, the following water uses are restricted or prohibited. No persons, companies, organizations or agencies shall:

1. Irrigate any form of outside vegetation. 
2. Wash vehicles. All car washes shall be asked to close temporarily; however, the restriction shall not apply to vehicles that must be washed for public health and safety reasons.
3. Operate a commercial Laundromat outside the hours of 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. All hotels and motels are requested to notify their customers that daily exchanges of towels and linens shall not be provided for those customers staying more than three days.
4. Be allowed to extend and connect any new water services until adequate water supplies are developed.
5. Haul any water from NTUA hauling points.
Each Drought Restriction shall remain in effect until lifted by NTUA Management. The NTUA reserves the right to terminate utility services to those individuals violating these Drought Restriction policies, and all reconnection fees and expenses authorized by the NTUA Tariff shall apply when services are resumed. These restrictions may also be enforced by law enforcement agencies of the Navajo Nation.