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May 25, 2022 - SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement after the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency water conservation regulations today in response to the Governor’s March Executive Order: “California is facing a drought crisis and every local water agency and Californian needs to step up on conservation efforts. I am hopeful the measures enacted by the State Water Board will lead to a reduction of water use across the state. These conservation measures are increasingly important as we enter the summer months. I’m asking all Californians to step up, because every single drop counts.”The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously today to implement a statewide ban on watering of non-functional turf in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors, as well as regulations requiring local agencies to implement water use restrictions amid the possibility that water supplies may be up to 20% lower due to extreme weather. Water saving tips can be found at www.saveourwater.com. For the latest on drought, please visit drought.ca.gov.
Source: Office of the Governor
State Water Board adopts emergency water conservation regulation
Regulation to boost water savings starting in June
May 25, 2022 - SACRAMENTO – In response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 28 Executive Order the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an emergency water conservation regulation on Tuesday that will ensure more aggressive conservation by local water agencies across the state.
The new regulation bans irrigating turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, such as grass in front of or next to large industrial or commercial buildings. The ban does not include watering turf that is used for recreation or other community purposes, water used at residences or water to maintain trees. The regulation also requires all urban water suppliers to implement conservation actions under Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans.
In March 2022, the state’s urban retail water suppliers reported average water use statewide that was nearly 19% greater than in March 2020, lowering the state’s cumulative water savings since July 2021 to 3.7%. Yesterday, Governor Newsom convened leaders from the state’s largest urban water suppliers imploring them to take more aggressive action to combat drought.
“The severity of this drought requires all Californians to save water in every possible way,” said Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Board. “The regulation compels water systems and local authorities to implement a range of additional critical conservation measures as we enter the hot and dry summer months.”
Level 2 water shortage contingency plans are meant to address up to a 20% shortage of water supplies. In addition to implementing Level 2 actions, the regulation requires urban water suppliers to fast-track supply and demand assessments to plan for potential extended dry conditions.
Level 2 actions often include things such as:
· Limiting outdoor irrigation to certain days or hours
· Increasing patrolling to identify water waste
Enforcing water-use prohibitions
· Increasing communication about the importance of water conservation
Some water suppliers already have imposed strong new restrictions on customers’ water use in accordance with their drought management plans. However, about half of the state’s 436 water suppliers (both urban water retailers and wholesalers) have not yet activated Level 2, and 36 have not submitted drought plans. The emergency regulation will require suppliers without drought plans to take certain conservation actions, such as conducting outreach to customers about conservation, restricting outdoor irrigation to two days a week and enforcing against wasteful water practices.
The approved regulation will be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for approval, which typically occurs within 10 calendar days. The ban on non-functional turf becomes effective upon OAL approval and the Level 2 requirements for urban water suppliers are proposed to take effect on June 10, 2022.
The regulation will give suppliers new options to reduce water waste if they choose to use them. A violation of the non-functional turf irrigation provision, for example, would be an infraction and subject to a fine of up to $500.
People who see water waste should report it at savewater.ca.gov.
The State Water Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper allocation and efficient use for present and future generations.
Source: CA. State Water Boards
