City residents might have been surprised to find a message of tighter watering regulations in their mailboxes last week.

In both Spanish and English, a flyer from the Riverbank Public Works Water Division laid out new, more restrictive watering guidelines to meet the 32-percent reduction mandated by the State of California.

The document outlines new restrictions on water use and fines for wasting water to be implemented.

Effective immediately, watering will be allowed only one day a week, through May 1, 2016. In addition, the regulations prohibit use of landscape irrigation systems altogether through May 1.

Only hand watering is allowed, with a person actually present to control water use.

Dwellings or businesses with street addresses ending in odd numbers can water only on Fridays. Even numbered residential or business users can water only on Tuesdays.

No watering is allowed between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In addition, violators will now be fined $100 for the first occurrence, $200 for the second violation, $300 for the third, $400 for the fourth and $500 for each subsequent transgression.

The flyer also includes information about a state Turf Replacement Program and a rebate on replacement with High Efficiency toilets.

Details on these programs can be found at www.saveourwaterrebates.com, according to the city flyer.