California is experiencing its fourth year of drought, with 2012-2015 being some of the driest years on record. The state water board has declared a drought emergency and issued mandates for water conservation across three categories: everyone, businesses, and water agencies. For everyone, outdoor water use is prohibited for activities like washing sidewalks and watering during/after rain. Businesses must only serve water upon request and hotels/motels must offer optional towel/linen washing. Water agencies are required to limit outdoor irrigation times and days, notify customers of leaks, and report on compliance.
3. Current Drought Status
California is currently in the fourth year of drought.
Here is some background:
• 2012 was below normal.
• 2013 was the driest year in recorded history for much of California.
• 2014 was the third driest year in 119 years of records.
• 2015 continues the trend.
• State Water Board- declares emergency regulations for drought conditions
on March 17, 2015.
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4. Current Drought Status
• As of March 3, 2015 The Sacramento Region is 87% of average.
• Most of the precipitation has been rain- Northern Sierra water content is
extremely low, at 16% average.
• Similarly, Central and Southern Sierra –is at 20% and 21%.
• Basins and groundwater- have been filling the gap; as a result they are now
at historically low levels.
• On January 23, 2015 – The State Water Board issued a Notice of Surface
Water Shortage and Potential for Curtailment of Water Right Diversions.
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6. New Requirements and Mandates
Three Categories- Everyone, Business, Water Agencies
Prohibitions for Everyone:
– Potable water to wash sidewalks & driveways
– Runoff when irrigating with potable water
– Hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars
– Potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate
the water
– Outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable
precipitation
7. Requirements for Business
• Restaurants and other food service
establishments can only serve water to
customers on request.
• Hotels and Motels must provide guests with the
option to not have towels and linens laundered
daily.
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8. Water Agency Requirements
• Impose restrictions on outdoor irrigation
• No irrigation between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM.
• Irrigation limited to two (2) days a week maximum.
• Agencies must notify customers about leaks that are within the
customer's control.
• Agencies must report on compliance and enforcement.
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