Mandatory Water Use Restricitions Effective Today for San Diego!
Monday, June 1st, 2009
By local ordinance, the City of San Diego has implemented Mandatory Water Use Restrictions, effective June 1, 2009. According to Mayor Jerry Sanders, “Level 2 means that the voluntary conservation measures we’ve been recommending will become requirements for every business, homeowner, governmental agency and City department alike.”
Not Enough Raindrops!
The Level 2 Drought Alert Condition has been brought about by over three years of lower than normal precipitation across the state. Reservoir levels have dipped to cautionary levels and mandatory conservation is needed to prevent further water restrictions.
The new restrictions will impact watering schedules and durations for homeowners. As of June 1st, homes with odd-numbered addresses may water landscaping on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Even-numbered addresses may irrigate landscaping on Saturday, Monday and Friday. Condos, apartments and businesses will be limited to landscape irrigation on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All irrigation cycles are limited to 10 minutes and must be done between 6pm and 10am. These restrictions will run through October or until further notice is provided.
In addition, washing your car at home is limited to the use of a bucket and hose with a shut-off nozzle, and again, only between 6pm and 10 am. You may not use your hose to wash off your driveway, patio or sidewalk. Fines may be assessed to homeowners that fail to follow these new rules.
Interior water conservation is also highly suggested, but for obvious reasons, enforcement is extremely difficult. Therefore, usage pricing will also be applied to your monthly water bill. The more water you use the higher the rate for water you will pay.
Interior water conversation can be accomplished by limiting your shower times, making sure your dishwasher and laundry washing machines are full before cycling and many other simple water saving ideas. The San Diego County Water Authority has many ideas to help you save water. Visit the “20 Gallon Challenge” for other ideas to help you conserve water around your home.
If a particular hardship exists at your home and water conservation is not possible for you, the City of San Diego has a variance program that may assist. And, if you would like a free water use audit of your home, a representative from the City Water Department will tour your home and property with you to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.
And, finally, if you want to make water savings improvements around your San Diego home, you may be eligible for a rebate. This is one way you can make conservation of water help pay for itself!
How will this play out with residents like the repercussions? I was reading an article that stated restrictions like no car wash after a time, no bird baths, no lawn watering and I bumped into a solution for car wash. Has anyone ever head of a waterless car wash?
Dolora,
We are facing a Level 2 restriction for water use at this time. You may still wash your car, but your hose must have a operable nozzle on the end of it to prevent water from running down your driveway while you are scrubbing the car. Should things get worse, Level 3 restrictions could prohibit washing your own car.
Today, the restrictions are meant to bring the water shortage awareness right to your front door. Wasteful use of water can not be allowed. If your sprinklers run every day and overflow onto the sidewalks, expect a visit from the Water Department. They will ask you to take corrective measures and check back that the situation has been rectified. If you persist in wasting water, you will be subject to fines.
We live in a semi-arid climate. 85-90% of our water is imported from outside San Diego County. It is getting more expensive and more challenging to find new water sources to supply the growing demand for water here in San Diego. It is important that all residents, governments and businesses in San Diego do their part to conserve.
It is also important that we get more rain and snow fall in Northern California and along the Colorado River and, that the State continues to build storage facilities. So that in the wet years, we can store water and have this precious resource available for future dry years.
Thank you for the question and please, spread the word about saving water in San Diego.
Thank you,
Steve
[...] City Council voted 7-0 to make the “Level 2″ restrictions permenant. San Diego becomes a leading jurisdiction in water conservation and water usage with the [...]