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California Businesses Face Turf Watering Ban Amid Historic Drought Conditions

/in , , /by /Times of San Diego by City News Service Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The State Water Resources Control Board voted Tuesday to ban watering of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties, the latest in a series of steps to conserve water amid a historic drought.

The ban — which does not include turf at residences or turf used for recreation or community purposes — will be effective once approved by the Office of Administrative Law, which typically takes about 10 days, according to the board. Violations of the ban would be punishable by a fine of up to $500.

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California Bans Watering ‘Non-Functional’ Grass in Some Areas, Strengthening Drought Rules

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

California water regulators adopted emergency drought rules Tuesday that increase conservation requirements for water suppliers throughout the state and prohibit the watering of grass that is purely decorative at businesses and in common areas of subdivisions and homeowners associations.

The regulations outlaw the use of drinking water for irrigating “non-functional” grass at commercial, industrial and institutional properties.

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State Tightens Drought Rules as S.D. Officials Fear Higher Water Rates

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson Smith Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

California approved new drought restrictions Tuesday, much to the chagrin of San Diego County’s top water managers, who fear increased conservation will further drive up the region’s soaring cost of water.

The new rules, called for by Gov. Gavin Newsom, require nearly all water suppliers in the state to ratchet down residential water consumption, while banning commercial water users from irrigating “non-functional” turf.

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As Bay Area Faces Prolonged Drought, Recycling and Desalination Are the Only Two Real Options

/in , , /by /San Francisco Examinerby Jessica Wolfrom Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Despite being surrounded by water, Bay Area residents are routinely told during dry years to take shorter showers, let lawns brown and slow the rush of water from their taps.

But as climate change prolongs drought and challenges local water supply, regional water managers are warning that none of those actions will be enough. Many say the time has come to invest in technically feasible, though politically and environmentally complicated alternatives like purifying wastewater and sucking salt out of seawater to bolster stores.

EXPLAINER: How Cities in the West Have Water Amid Drought

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Suman Naishadham

As drought and climate change tighten their grip on the American West, the sight of fountains, swimming pools, gardens and golf courses in cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Albuquerque can be jarring at first glance.

Western water experts, however, say they aren’t necessarily cause for concern. Over the past three decades, major Western cities — particularly in California and Nevada — have diversified their water sources, boosted local supplies through infrastructure investments and conservation, and use water more efficiently.

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Stone Ranch Elementary Student Among Water Poster Contest Winners

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Elizabeth Marie Himchak

A Stone Ranch Elementary fourth-grader is among three winners in Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 29th annual water awareness poster contest.

Indira Jayanti received a $50 Target gift card for her poster portraying rain harvesting. It will also be featured in Olivenhain’s 2023 Water Awareness Calendar.

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La Niña Lives! — And That’s Bad News

/in , , /by /Discover Magazineby Tom Yulsman

For two winters in a row, La Niña has steered desperately needed rain and snow storms away from the U.S. Southwest, exacerbating a decades-long drought that has shriveled reservoirs and spurred horrific wildfires.

Now, hopes that the climate pattern would relent and allow moisture to rebound next winter have suffered a serious blow.

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Californians Could See Mandatory Water Cuts Amid Drought

/in , , /by /APby Kathleen Ronayne Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

California Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened Monday to impose mandatory water restrictions if residents don’t use less on their own as a drought drags on and the hotter summer months approach.

Newsom raised that possibility in a meeting with representatives from major water agencies, including those that supply Los Angeles, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Democratic governor has avoided issuing sweeping, mandatory cuts in water use and instead favored giving local water agencies power to set rules for water use in the cities and towns they supply.

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Newsom Urges Aggressive Water Conservation and Warns of Statewide Restrictions

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Times by Ian James Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Gov. Gavin Newsom met with leaders of the state’s largest urban water suppliers Monday and implored them to step up efforts to get people to reduce water use as California’s drought continues to worsen. He warned that if conservation efforts don’t improve this summer, the state could be forced to impose mandatory water restrictions throughout the state.

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Newsom Urges Aggressive Action as Historic Drought Looms Over Summer

/in , , /by /Courthouse News Serviceby Natalie Hanson Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Leaders from California’s largest urban water suppliers and associations met with Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday to discuss aggressive actions to combat drought.

Per Newsom’s direction, the state’s Water Resources Control Board may vote on a statewide ban on watering “nonfunctional turf” in a meeting Tuesday.

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