Currently, no water is running through pipes and canals for some farmers in Northern California.
It’s not even June.
Farmers there have experienced this before, but the concern of that happening is starting to trickle into the Coachella Valley.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The San Dieguito Water District celebrated its 100th anniversary this month, marking a century of supplying water to more than 38,000 residents in coastal Encinitas, including Leucadia and Cardiff.
“I’m really happy and excited to be celebrating this amazing milestone,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Mosca, president of the San Dieguito Water District. “It’s been a pleasure serving on the [water district] board.”
Property owners in the Santa Monica Mountains and nearby communities worried about the upcoming mandate severely restricting outdoor water usage were given answers and tips on how to comply at a town hall organized by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD). Legitimate concerns about brown lawns and brush dry hillsides in fire-prone areas prompted more than 1,000 homeowners to attend LVMWDs virtual meeting May 11.
Maria Herrera had about a quarter left in her last five-gallon water jug.
On that April afternoon, though, spotty water service returned to the 67-year-old woman’s apartment, before the jug emptied. If it hadn’t, that was all she had left to bathe, do housework or drink.
Mandatory water restrictions soon may be in the future for all of California. The governor threatened the mandates if we don’t use less water on our own.
“This year, 2022, it was historically dry,” says Efren Lopez with The San Diego County Water Authority. “It was hot so you see that uptick in water use.”
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.
