ACWA Regulatory Advisory
July 9, 2014
State Water Board Proposes Emergency Statewide Water Conservation Regulations Urban Water Agencies Could Be Required to File Monthly Water Usage Reports
Stepping up its call to increase water conservation during the state’s worsening drought, the State Water Resources Control Board this morning released proposed statewide emergency water conservation regulations that would require urban water suppliers to implement their water shortage contingency plans at a level that triggers mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use.
The draft statewide emergency conservation regulations – believed to be the first of their kind in state’s history – also would impose statewide restrictions on certain forms of outdoor water use and impose fines of up to $500 for violations. The regulations also would require urban water suppliers to file monthly reports on water production and usage.
Comments on Proposed Regulations Due July 14:
The State Water Board will consider adopting the proposed regulations on July 15. If adopted, the regulations could go in effect as early as Aug.1. ACWA is urging its members to closely examine the regulations and provide comments before noon July 14 to the State Water Board at commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov<mailto:commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov>. ACWA will provide comments to the State Water Board as well.
In a conference call with reporters, Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Board, said she believes, “We are in one of the worst statewide droughts in modern times.” She added, “These proposed regulations outline the least that Californians can do.”
The draft rules allow local agencies to operate under their existing water shortage contingency plans related to outdoor watering. If no such plan exists, a water agency would be required to enforce the statewide regulation that allows outdoor watering only two days a week. The State Water Board sought the input of ACWA staff in developing the regulations.
Enforcement of the regulations was a major theme on the conference call with reporters. Marcus indicated that the State Water Board staff continues to talk through the issues and may have additional discussion on July 15.
Additionally, the proposed regulations would require urban water suppliers to track and report water use and compare it to the same period last year. Reports detailing the amount of potable water the supplier produced in the preceding month and an estimate of gallons of water per person per day used by its customers would have to be submitted online to the State Water Board by the 15th of each month. The proposed regulations are here<http://outreach.acwa.com/site/R?i=R9s0nB2plzhvFEFV4VIiFA>. The restrictions being considered for statewide adoption would prohibit:
* The direct application of water to any hard surface for washing.
* Watering of outdoor landscapes that cause runoff to adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots or structures.
* Using a hose to wash an automobile, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle.
* Using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is recirculated.
Officials at the State Water Board also are calling on local agencies to ramp up their public education campaigns on water conservation, using the tools on www.SaveOurWater.com<http://outreach.acwa.com/site/R?i=oodyYW-Ejqp26LGdDGXBsg> as resources.
Here are some of the actions state officials are asking water agencies to take in educating the public about the proposed regulations:
* Retail water suppliers should provide notice of the regulations in English and Spanish in newspaper advertisements, bill inserts, website homepage, social media, notices in public libraries;
* Wholesale suppliers should include reference to the regulations in all of their customer communications;
* All water suppliers should provide signage where recycled or reclaimed water is being used for activities that the emergency regulations prohibit with the use of potable water, such as operation of fountains and other water features;
* All water suppliers should train personnel on the regulations; and
* All water suppliers should set conservation targets, measure their service area’s progress and make this information available to their customers.
Questions
If you have questions about the proposed regulations please contact Dave Bolland, ACWA Senior Regulatory Advocate at DaveB@acwa.com<mailto:DaveB@acwa.com> or (916) 441-4545.
Tags: conservation, policy, water