CVWD Updates Conservation Measures by Coachella Valley Water District Jun 15, 2022 Member Submitted News New drought regulations are now in effect as California tries to reduce water-use during the continuous drought in the Southwest. California State Water Resources Control Board adopted a new emergency water conservation regulation on May 24, to ensure a more aggressive approach to save water. CVWD customers are required to comply with the state’s regulation and are encouraged to increase their water conservation efforts. The regulation requires water agencies to activate “Level 2″ of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans, which assumes up to a 20% water shortage, which the CVWD Board of Directors adopted at the June 14 Board meeting. CVWD had already implemented Level 2 and Level 3 actions (April 12, 2022), in anticipation of potential emergency requirements from the state that are outlined in the District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Level 2 mandatory water conservation actions effective June 14 Outdoor water use for spray irrigation is prohibited during daylight hours except to check for leaks. Restaurants can only serve water upon request. Order free restaurant table tents. Overseeding is discouraged. Water Waste patrols will be increased. CVWD will prioritize working with customers to quickly resolve violations. After a written warning, customers may be responsible for fines on their bill starting at $50. The goal is to eliminate water waste and save water for future generations. State ban on watering non-functional turf as of June 10 Irrigation of non-functional turf is prohibited at commercial, industrial and institutional sites including HOAs. Non-functional turf means turf that is solely decorative. It does not include areas that are used for recreation or civic community events or turf areas with trees. Fines up to $500 per day may be imposed. The District is encourages customers to continue reducing their water use, especially outdoors, where the biggest water savings can be achieved. This includes fixing leaks immediately, applying for conservation rebates, irrigating more efficiently, and eliminating water waste outside (and inside) of their homes. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of CVWD’s extensive conservation programs: Indoor & Outdoor Rebates to increase water-use efficiency both indoors and in landscapes. Turf Conversion Rebate to replace grass with desert-friendly landscaping and receive up to $3 per square foot, while saving up to 55.8 gallons per square foot per year. Free Indoor Water Conservation Kit to assist homeowners in conserving water inside the home. Residential Smart Irrigation Controller that automatically adjusts irrigation times based on the season and local weather data. Seminars & Workshops on desert horticulture and water-smart landscaping. Lush & Efficient Desert-Friendly Landscaping Book illustrates desert-friendly water-wise landscapes as alternatives to traditional, high-water, high maintenance landscapes ($10.00). Available at cvwd.org/store. Read a PDF copy of the book online here. Customers can learn more about water conservation and water efficiency programs online at cvwd.org/conservation. Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles located primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.
