Leaky faucets and pipes will need to be fixed 72 hours after the problem is discovered under a new municipal code requirement approved unanimously by the City Council today.
Councilwoman Lorie Zapf said the time limit was a successful part of water use restrictions imposed during the drought that ended with last winter's rains.
The 72-hour limitation will now be in effect whether there is an official drought or not.
When the water restrictions were lifted a couple of months ago, several council members expressed concern that customers would slide back into their old water-wasting ways unless guidelines that modified their behavior remained in place.
A time limit for fixing leaks was one of the top issues singled out by council members.
Owners of rental units are already required by the state code to fix leaks within 72 hours.
"That's a sufficient time to get it done," Councilman David Alvarez said.
According to city staff, violators could be cited, but water department officials will first try to help property owners come into compliance.
