For Water Subcommittee Meeting, November 19, 2026
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works & Utilities
AUTHOR: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Request Water Subcommittee Receive an Overview of Assembly Bill 1572 and Provide Feedback Regarding the City’s Implementation Efforts. (ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that the Water Subcommittee receive an overview of Assembly Bill 1572 and provide feedback regarding the City’s implementation efforts.
BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 was signed into law to support water conservation and improve water supply reliability throughout California. AB 1572 added California Water Code Section 10608.14, which establishes a phased prohibition on the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf at specified properties. Nonfunctional turf generally refers to grass that is not located in a recreational use area or community space, such as decorative turf in street medians, parking areas, and ornamental landscapes.
On September 8, 2026, West Valley Water District issued a notice, shown as
Attachment 1, to its government and public-sector customers, which includes some areas of the City of Rialto, regarding the January 1, 2027 compliance deadline. The notice encouraged public agencies to review their properties and identify landscape areas that may be affected.
Staff subsequently consulted with the City Attorney’s Office regarding the City’s obligations. Legal counsel is preparing an ordinance amending Chapter 12.20 of the Rialto Municipal Code to incorporate the applicable requirements of California Water Code Sections 10608.12 and 10608.14.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance will amend Chapter 12.20 to incorporate the applicable nonfunctional turf irrigation prohibitions and exceptions set forth in California Water Code Section 10608.14. The ordinance is also anticipated to incorporate applicable definitions from Water Code Section 10608.12, including terms used to identify covered properties and distinguish functional turf from nonfunctional turf.
AB 1572 establishes the following implementation schedule:
The statute excludes cemeteries from the prohibition and allows potable water to be used to the extent necessary to maintain the health of trees and other perennial non turf plantings or to address an immediate health and safety need.
Disadvantaged Community Evaluation
On October 13, 2026, the City submitted correspondence to the State Water Resources Control Board, shown as Attachment 2, requesting confirmation of disadvantaged community status for purposes of AB 1572. The State subsequently advised that Rialto’s public water system is not currently classified as a disadvantaged system and that supporting information would need to be submitted for evaluation.
Staff is following up regarding the applicable criteria and documentation and will continue pursuing clarification while proceeding with the required ordinance amendment. Any later compliance date applicable to qualifying public properties would not postpone the January 1, 2027 ordinance and customer communication requirements.
Implementation and outreach
Implantation will require coordination among Utilities, Public Works, and Rialto Water Services (RWS/Veolia). Potential activities include:
• Identifying City-owned landscape areas potentially subject to the prohibition;
• Distinguishing functional turf from nonfunctional turf;
• Reviewing irrigation practices and opportunities to protect existing trees;
• Communicating applicable requirements to affected customers; and
• Researching grant assistance and other funding opportunities to offset eligible landscape conversion costs.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The fiscal impact of implementing the proposed ordinance is being evaluated. Potential costs may include customer outreach, staff time, assessment of City-owned properties, and future landscape modifications where applicable.
Any funding needed for future implementation or landscape conversion will be identified and brought forward for consideration, as appropriate. The amount and availability of any outside funding have not been determined for purposes of this report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. AB 1572 Letter/Notice
2. Letter to State Water Resources Control Board