On May 9, 2016, Governor Brown announced permanent, mandatory water restrictions that will remain in effect across California. This announcement came on the heels of a rainy season that brought more water than expected to Northern California but less than anticipated to Southern California. While it was one of the wettest winters in recent years, we remain in an ongoing state of drought that would require many more wet years before we see any real relief.
In a statement put out by the governor’s office, Governor Brown said,
“Californians stepped up during this drought and saved more water than ever before. But now we know that drought is becoming a regular occurrence and water conservation must be a part of our everyday life.”
This is in line with what many Californians have come to recognize as a necessary, new way of living within our means when it comes to water usage and is no surprise for most of us.
The announcement of particular water-use restrictions becoming permanent indicates that other mandatory water conservation efforts may ease up over time. As part of this, it is expected that we will see restrictions tailored to specific areas, rather than the broad strokes of the emergency mandatory cuts earlier implemented.
For San Diego residents, the City of San Diego already has permanent mandatory restrictions in place that overlap with those announced statewide and that go beyond the statewide restrictions.
As we become accustomed to the restrictions that will now be a way of life for the foreseeable future, we should also consider just how much we should ease up on our current water conservation efforts in other areas. For example, if some required conservation efforts change or are completely removed at some point in the future, should we take this an indication that we can start using water more indiscriminately?
After all, it is that lax attitude that helped get us to the state of drought we live in today and that has led so many homeowners to justify water-loving landscapes in a climate that cannot naturally support them. Californians have been doing just fine under our current water restrictions and have learned to adapt well to a lifestyle that has helped us meet and exceed water conservation goals.
We have learned that it is not necessary to waste water in order to have beautiful, inviting outdoor living areas. We have also learned that the sky did not fall and the world did not end when we let our natural grass lawns go brown or replaced them with drought-tolerant, native plants or water-saving artificial turf.
While some water restrictions may relax in the coming years, it is time to build on our successes, use what we have learned and continue our efforts to live in an environmentally friendly manner that acknowledges and works with our local climate. This is the only way we can do our part to lessen the impact of the dry years we can count on seeing in the future.
Photo by Green Goddess Gardens, Inc. – Discover transitional landscape design ideas
California Permanent, Mandatory Water-Use Restrictions
The executive order issued by Governor Brown in May 2016 includes several requirements for the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources to continue their ongoing efforts to reduce water usage, strengthen requirements and draft new plans for agricultural water management and water shortage contingency plans. They are charged with reducing water loss from leaks, developing new water-use targets, and ensuring urban water suppliers continue to report water usage and water conservation. The California Energy Commission is also on the list and is ordered to certify innovative technologies aimed at detecting and controlling water loss and conservation.
As these agencies do what has been asked of them and dole out requirements for local water agencies, we will more directly see the effects of these mandates and changes. Until then, Californians are expected to continue following the emergency restrictions instituted in 2015 and to continue our efforts to eliminate water waste by abiding by the restrictions that have been made permanent.
The permanent, mandatory restrictions included in the executive order that directly affect California residents now include:
1. No hosing off of sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes
2. No washing cars with hoses that do not have shut-off nozzles
3. Fountains and decorative water features must use recirculated water
4. No watering lawns within 48 hours of precipitation
5. No watering lawns in a manner that results in runoff
6. No irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians
Photo by Jean Marsh Design – Look for Mediterranean landscape design inspiration
City of San Diego Permanent, Mandatory Water-Use Restrictions
Residences and businesses within the area served by the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department are accustomed to permanent restrictions aimed at eliminating water waste and have been living under these permanent bans since 2011.
These restrictions are why you have to ask for water at your favorite restaurant and why you see that little sign in the hotel room reminding you that you can help save water by not wanting your towels and bed linens washed every day. It is also why hitting up the new car wash with the recirculating water system is better for the environment than washing your car at home.
Other permanent restrictions in San Diego include:
1. You must immediately fix irrigation system leaks.
2. You must not irrigate your lawn or landscaping in a way that results in runoff leaving your property.
3. You must repair all water leaks as soon as you discover them or within 72 hours of the City of San Diego notifying you that you have one.
4. You cannot use a running hose to wash down sidewalks, tennis courts, patios, other hardscapes, windows, awnings or buildings (except in the case of safety or sanitation concerns).
5. You must not overfill your swimming pool or spa.
6. You may only use fountains and decorative water features that have a recirculating pump.
7. You must take steps to conserve water while washing your cars, such as using a hose with a shut-off nozzle, washing your car on your lawn or a pervious surface, making sure the water flows to your lawn or landscaping, or using a bucket for your water.
Photo by Exteriors By Chad Robert – Look for Mediterranean landscape design inspiration
What You Can Do to Conserve Water and Abide by Water Use Restrictions
Here are 10 things you can do to make sure you are following California’s permanent water-use restrictions and continuing your efforts to save water.
1. Replace your natural grass lawn with artificial turf. You can avoid irrigation runoff completely and lower your water usage by removing your conventional lawn and replacing it with water-saving synthetic grass.
2. Replace your natural grass lawn with native plants, gravel or other low-water ground covers. Reduce your yard’s irrigation demands and make sure you do not have runoff by installing landscaping that requires little or no water.
3. Clean sidewalks, patios and other hardscapes with a broom. You can save water, follow the rules and burn more calories by removing dust and debris from your hardscapes with a broom.
4. Use a bucket and scrub brush to spot clean hardscapes. If you have spills or other incidents that require water, spot clean your paving stones, bricks or concrete with a bucket and scrub brush.
5. Invest in a recirculating pump for your water feature so that you can continue enjoying the sound of cascading water without feeling guilty.
6. Take your cars to a car wash that has a recirculating water system or install a permeable paving stone driveway where you can wash your car (without chemical cleansers) and know that the water is returning to the soil.
7. Purchase rain barrels or install other water catchment options to collect rainwater for use on ornamental landscaping.
8. Keep a close eye on the water level when filling your swimming pool or spa, and use a pool cover and spa cover to limit evaporation.
9. Learn how to repair simple leaks in your home and your irrigation system to save money and be able to respond quickly to avoid water loss.
10. Buy a shut-off nozzle for all of the hoses on your property. This will allow you to use your hoses when necessary to irrigate landscaping or wash your car without wasting water.
Photo by Studio H Landscape Architecture – Look for contemporary landscape pictures
Water Conservation as a Way of Life
One of the most important lessons Californians have learned during the most recent severe drought is that water conservation must become a way of life. This is particularly true for those who live in regions that receive less precipitation — like the Southwest, including Southern California.
If you would like to learn more about how you can save water inside and outside of your home, here are some previous posts that may be of interest to you.
25 Ways to Save Water Without Getting Rid of Your Natural Grass Lawn
35 Easy Ways to Save Water Around the House
10 Easy Things Anyone Can Do Now to Save Water
How to Save Water and Add Color with Island Flower Beds
Easy But Often Ignored Ways to Save Money Around the House
20 Water-Saving New Year’s Resolutions
9 Water Conservation Apps For Your Home & Garden
10 Local Expert Tips On How To Use Less Water For Your Yard
How to Conserve Water Inside and Outside the Home in Southern California
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