New Statewide Water Restrictions and Fines in August
On Tuesday, July 15 the California Water Resources Control Board approved mandatory restrictions on water use in urban areas, including Piedmont, with fines ranging up to $500/day. If also approved by the State Office of Administrative Law, any public employee with law enforcement authority can issue the tickets.
The following water use will be prohibited:
- Run-off from landscape watering onto adjacent property, sidewalks or streets.
- Washing sidewalks and driveways with drinking water. (Recycled water is permitted.)
- Using a hose to wash a vehicle unless the hose has a shut-off nozzle.
- Using drinking water in an ornamental fountain unless the water is recirculated.
The restrictions will go into effect as soon as they are approved by the State Office of Administrative Law. They will remain in effect for nine months.
While agriculture uses 75% of the state’s water, agriculture is exempted. Also exempted is the power-washing of sidewalks, streets and buildings.
Each water district is charged with implementing mandatory water use restrictions and adopting a sliding scale for the new state water restriction fines. Up to this point the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has requested only voluntary reduction of water use because the agency is in a less dire water supply situation than other California water providers due to its efforts to plan for long-term water supplies.
Meanwhile, the State Legislature is trying to draft a new water bond. (Read about the challenge in the Sacramento Bee.)
EBMUD gave my cousin in Contra Costa County a $700 rebate when she converted her front lawn to mulch and a few plants with a drip system. I want to demolish my pool, fill it in with dirt and do the same, but no rebate.
There should be more POSITIVE motivators rather than just NEGATIVE ones.