State Water Commission Votes On Mandatory Statewide Use Restrictions | News | PleasantonWeekly.com

Kiley Russell / BCN Foundation

Upload time: Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 10:00 PM 2 Reading time: about 3 minutes

The California Water Regulatory Agency has proposed a new emergency drought law, which will prohibit all kinds of waste of water resources throughout the state.

On Tuesday, the National Water Resources Control Commission issued a draft regulation that would prohibit "excessive" irrigation, prohibit the use of drinking water for street cleaning, and prohibit landscape irrigation within 48 hours after heavy rains.

According to a statement from the Water Commission, the new mandatory regulations will be implemented by the local water authority. People who are found to be wasting water may face fines. The Water Commission will vote on the proposal sometime in January.

Although Governor Gavin Newsom called for a voluntary 15% reduction in water consumption, new data shows that water conservation efforts in most parts of the state have stagnated, and the draft regulation is close behind.

Statewide, urban water users in August saved 5% compared to the same month last year. However, according to data from the Water Authority, water savings fell to 3.9% in September.

What is the value of local news to you?

PleasantonWeekly.com can be supported for only $5 per month.

"I think this is definitely not the news we all want to see. Regression is unwelcome," said Joaquin Esquivel, chairman of the water committee, at the board meeting in mid-November.

"Protection is our most powerful tool, not only against drought, but also long-term due to climate change, because we know we will continue to face deeper and longer droughts," Eskivir said.

He pointed out that although the state's water consumption has been reduced by about 16% since the last drought about four years ago, California is still a long way from Newsom's goal.

Many water districts currently have regulations similar to those proposed by the Water Commission, but the new regulations will apply to everyone in the state and may be fined.

For example, during the last drought, the Dongwan Municipal Public Utilities District issued similar restrictions, including prohibiting the use of drinking water to clean sidewalks or driveways, and requiring people to use hoses with shut-off nozzles when washing cars.

Send the latest local news and information directly to your inbox.

Although current violations will not result in fines, EBMUD can recover fees or other expenses related to law enforcement.

EBMUD spokesperson Andrea Pook said: "After the last drought, these restrictions have been in effect forever."

Pook said that over the years, the 1.4 million customers of her organization have largely focused on water conservation, and since July, their water consumption has been reduced by 11% compared to the same period last year.

"In general, we feel that we are in a good position to protect the quantity," Puck said.

To comment on the proposed statewide regulations, people can email [email protected] and [email protected] by noon on December 23.

■ COVID News: Alameda County confirmed Omicron variant case

■ Pleasanton split in the final redivision map proposed for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors

■ Empower Empathy-an award-winning board game

■ Bridge tolls in the Bay Area have risen, and fines for violations have been reduced

■ COVID News: Alameda County confirmed Omicron variant case

■ Pleasanton split in the final redivision map proposed for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors

People can also email comments to Jeanine Townsend, the board clerk of the State Water Control Board, P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000.

The draft rules include prohibiting the following:

-The application of drinking water to outdoor landscapes not only causes incidental runoff, but also causes water to flow to neighboring properties, non-irrigated areas, private and public sidewalks, roads, parking lots or buildings.

-Use hoses that dispense water to wash motor vehicles, unless the hose is equipped with a device that shuts off the nozzle or is connected to it so that it immediately stops dispensing water when not in use.

-Use drinking water to clean sidewalks, driveways, buildings, structures, terraces, parking lots or other hard surface areas, except where health and safety are threatened.

-Use drinking water for street cleaning or construction purposes, unless other methods cannot be used to protect the health and safety of the public.

-Use drinking water to fill or add water to decorative fountains or decorative lakes or ponds, except for decorative fountains, lakes or ponds that use pumps to circulate water and only need to be refilled to make up for evaporation losses.

-Water for turf and landscape viewing during and 48 hours after the measurable rainfall is at least a quarter of an inch.

-Use drinking water to irrigate turf in public street barriers or publicly owned or maintained landscape areas between streets and sidewalks.

The front row seat of the local high school sports.

Check out our new newsletter Playbook.

Looking for more Livermore stories? Livermore Vine will become your new source of important news and information. Sign up to be the first to send our daily local news headlines to your inbox for free.

Follow PleasantonWeekly.com and Pleasanton Weekly on Twitter @pleasantonnews, Facebook and Instagram @pleasantonweekly for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

By Kiley Russell / BCN Foundation /

Uploaded: Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 10:00 PM California Water Regulators proposed a new emergency drought law that will prohibit all kinds of water wastes throughout the state. On Tuesday, the National Water Resources Control Commission issued a draft regulation that would prohibit "excessive" irrigation, prohibit the use of drinking water for street cleaning, and prohibit landscape irrigation within 48 hours after heavy rains. According to a statement from the Water Commission, the new mandatory regulations will be implemented by the local water authority. People who are found to be wasting water may face fines. The Water Commission will vote on the proposal sometime in January. Although Governor Gavin Newsom called for a voluntary 15% reduction in water consumption, new data shows that water conservation efforts in most parts of the state have stagnated, and the draft regulation is close behind. Statewide, urban water users in August saved 5% compared to the same month last year. However, according to data from the Water Authority, water savings fell to 3.9% in September. "I think this is definitely not the news we all want to see. Regression is unwelcome," said Joaquin Esquivel, chairman of the water committee, at the board meeting in mid-November. "Protection is our most powerful tool, not only against drought, but also long-term due to climate change, because we know we will continue to face deeper and longer droughts," Eskivir said. He pointed out that although the state's water consumption has been reduced by about 16% since the last drought about four years ago, California is still a long way from Newsom's goal. Many water districts currently have regulations similar to those proposed by the Water Commission, but the new regulations will apply to everyone in the state and may be fined. For example, during the last drought, the Dongwan Municipal Public Utilities District issued similar restrictions, including prohibiting the use of drinking water to clean sidewalks or driveways, and requiring people to use hoses with shut-off nozzles when washing cars. Although current violations will not result in fines, EBMUD can recover fees or other expenses related to law enforcement. EBMUD spokesperson Andrea Pook said: “After the last drought, these restrictions have taken effect permanently.” Pook said that over the years, her agency’s 1.4 million customers will largely save water. Keep in mind that since July, their water consumption has been reduced by 11% compared to the same period last year. "In general, we feel that we are in a good position to protect the quantity," Puck said. To comment on the proposed statewide regulations, people can email [email protection] and [email protection] by noon on December 23. People can also email comments to Jeanine Townsend, State Water Resources Control Board board clerk, PO Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000. The draft rules include prohibitions on the following:-The application of drinking water to outdoor landscapes is more than accidental runoff, so that the water flows to adjacent properties, non-irrigated areas, private and public sidewalks, roads, parking lots, or structures. -Use hoses that dispense water to wash motor vehicles, unless the hose is equipped with a device that shuts off the nozzle or is connected to it so that it immediately stops dispensing water when not in use. -Use drinking water to clean sidewalks, driveways, buildings, structures, terraces, parking lots or other hard surface areas, except where health and safety are threatened. -Use drinking water for street cleaning or construction purposes, unless other methods cannot be used to protect the health and safety of the public. -Use drinking water to fill or add water to decorative fountains or decorative lakes or ponds, except for decorative fountains, lakes or ponds that use pumps to circulate water and only need to be refilled to make up for evaporation losses. -Water for turf and landscape viewing during and 48 hours after the measurable rainfall is at least a quarter of an inch. -Use drinking water to irrigate turf in public street barriers or publicly owned or maintained landscape areas between streets and sidewalks.