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On July 15, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) formally adopted Emergency Regulations as a result of one of the worst droughts in California history. These regulations went into effect on July 28, 2014 and will remain in effect for 270 days, unless the SWRCB either determines that it is no longer necessary due to improved conditions, or renews the regulations due to continuing drought conditions.
In order to comply with the SWRCB's requirements, HDWD has enacted its water shortage contingency plan which incorporates restrictions previously adopted in an ordinance in the 1990s.
"Implementing these water use restrictions reminds everyone in the community of the importance of continuing with our conservation efforts during this severe drought," said HDWD General Manager Ed Muzik.
The restrictions for water use include the following:
- No hose washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, patios, porches, or verandas or any hardscape unless required by a regulatory agency for health or safety reasons;
- No water shall be used to clean, fill operate or maintain levels in decorative fountains or other decorative water feature, unless such water is part of a recycling or recirculating system;
- No person shall knowingly permit water to leak from any facility within his/her premises;
- Restaurants shall provide water to customers only upon request;
- Noncommercial washing of privately owned vehicles, trailers, motor homes, buses, or boats will not be permitted except while using a bucket and a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle that causes the hose to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use, which may be used for a quick rinse;
- Water shall be allowed for construction purposes, including but not limited to debrushing of vacant land, compaction of fills ad ads, trench backfill and other construction uses, but shall be used in an efficient manner and not result in runoff. The use of "rainbird" type sprinklers is not recommended.
- Potable water from within the District shall not be used to maintain dirt roads without application to the District.
- No use of water for any purpose, except as provided herein, which results in flooding or runoff onto hardscape, driveways, streets, adjacent lands or into gutters shall be permitted;
- No use of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures shall be permitted.
Noncompliance to the restrictions will result in fines. The first violation will result in a written notice. The second violation will result in a $25 fine on the water bill. The third violation will result in a $50 fine on the water bill. A fourth violation and any subsequent violations will result in a $100 fine or more on the water bill.
In addition to these immediate actions, HDWD will continue to provide and promote water conservation through education, outreach, and rebate programs such as the Cash for Grass and Toilet Rebate programs. If you would like more information on water conservation, rebate programs or drought information, visit www.hdwdconserves.com or www.hdwd.com.
Yucca Valley's proposed centralized sewer system will put treated wastewater back into our underground aquifer, thereby adding a new source of water to draw upon in severe dry times like these. Learn more about it at www.protectgroundwater.org.
If you would like more information, contact Hi-Desert Water District at (760) 365-8333 or e-mail [email protected].
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