STATE IMPOSES WATER RATIONING

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2014 (Sacramento)--The California State Water Resources Control Board has announced they will impose unprecedented restrictions statewide on outdoor watering—including steep fines of up to $500 a day for those who ignore the rules.  This marks the first time ever that water rationing has been imposed statewide, though locally San Diegans have seen rationing in prior droughts.

Farmers on agriculturally zoned lands are exempted, however.

For water districts that have not implemented mandatory water-saving rules, some residents could be limited to watering their yards just two days a week. Fortunately in San Diego County, many local districts have already adopted such restrictions, so residents in certain local districts may be able to water more often. 

The new rules also prohibit washing off sidewalks and driveways, require shut-off nozzles when washing cars, and if you have a fountain, it must use recirculated water starting August 1^st.

The rules grant significant leeway to local districts, which could issue warnings or lower level fines for first-time violators.  A spokesman for Helix Water District has said that he doesn’t expect much disruption for the district’s customers, since the district has already issued voluntary water savings guidelines and customers have complied without being forced to do so through mandatory limits.

The water restrictions were imposed after a new report showed that statewide, water use actually rose 1% despite the Governor calling on all Californians to cut water use by 20% due to the long-lasting drought.

Water use in San Diego County has increased about 10 percent since January, during very dry conditions, however area residents have already conserved significantly before the latest hot spell.

The push to save water is impacting some state campgrounds which have closed or restricted shower use. 

After the new regulations were announced, Governor Jerry Brown stated on Twitter that the Water Board’s emergency action and UC Davis Water Report are a reminder to Californians that there’s more work to do.”