Carlsbad water district eases water restrictions
Carlsbad Municipal Water District officials removed some restrictions on water use last month, though they suggested that conservation efforts remain a daily habit.
On May 24, the water district board rescinded a Level 2 Drought Alert that had been in effect since July 2010. The alert limited irrigation to certain days and prohibited the use of decorative water fountains except for those that used recycled water.
The end of the alert was in response to Gov. Jerry Brown's official declaration in March that put an end to the most recent drought.
CMWD officials noted, however, that good water conservation practices should be followed, even though no drought alert is currently in place.
"We rely on imported water for 100 percent of our drinking water supply," said Glenn Pruim, general manager of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. "The drought may be officially over, but we still face significant water supply challenges."
Tiered water rates that took effect on Aug. 2009 to promote water conservation and reduce wasteful water practices will remain in effect.
To conserve water, the district suggests the following:
Irrigate residential and commercial landscape before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.
Repair all water leaks within five days of notification by the water district.
No washing down of hard surfaces, such as driveways, patios, sidewalks and parking lots with a hose, unless necessary to remove safety or sanitation hazards.
Stop water waste from inefficient landscape irrigation, and repair any water leaks as soon as possible.
Wash vehicles with a bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Do not allow runoff to enter the street and storm drain.
Serve water in restaurants only on request.
Offer hotel guests the option of not having their towels and linens laundered daily.
The Carlsbad City Council acts as the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, which encompasses 85 percent of the city. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the Vallecitos Water District serve the southeastern part of the city.
City creates zone to protect Carlsbad's farmlands.
The farmlands that stretch along Cannon Road east of Interstate 5 received extra protection with the passage of a new zone that encourages the continuation of agriculture on the lands for as long as financially feasible.
The City Council adopted the Cannon Road Agricultural and Open Space Zone on May 24, fulfilling the intent of voters who passed 2006's Proposition D, "Preserve the Flower and Strawberry Fields and Save Taxpayers Money," which was spearheaded by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
That measure preserves the land as agriculture for as long as it is economically viable for the landowners. If the landowners choose to discontinue agriculture, only open space uses would be permitted on the land.
The new zone applies to three pieces of property:
• 172 acres north of Cannon Road and south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon owned by San Diego Gas & Electric. Most of this property is cultivated as strawberry fields and has become closely associated with Carlsbad's identity. The zone does not include the 50 acres along I-5 that are designated for commercial tourist use.
• 46 acres south of Cannon Road and north of The Flower Fields. This property is frequently cultivated with flowers, so is sometimes considered part of the traditional Flower Fields. (The Flower Fields are not part of the zone, because they are already preserved "in perpetuity" by a development agreement and deed restriction.)
• 26 acres on the southeast corner of Cannon and Legoland Drive, which is also often cultivated with flowers or crops.
The new zone doesn't recommend any development, but specifies permitted uses and provides a set of "guiding principles" for the use and development of the lands.The new zone prohibits residential development.
Carlsbad Municipal Water District officials removed some restrictions on water use last month, though they suggested that conservation efforts remain a daily habit.
On May 24, the water district board rescinded a Level 2 Drought Alert that had been in effect since July 2010. The alert limited irrigation to certain days and prohibited the use of decorative water fountains except for those that used recycled water.
The end of the alert was in response to Gov. Jerry Brown's official declaration in March that put an end to the most recent drought.
CMWD officials noted, however, that good water conservation practices should be followed, even though no drought alert is currently in place.
"We rely on imported water for 100 percent of our drinking water supply," said Glenn Pruim, general manager of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. "The drought may be officially over, but we still face significant water supply challenges."
Tiered water rates that took effect on Aug. 2009 to promote water conservation and reduce wasteful water practices will remain in effect.
To conserve water, the district suggests the following:
Irrigate residential and commercial landscape before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.
Repair all water leaks within five days of notification by the water district.
No washing down of hard surfaces, such as driveways, patios, sidewalks and parking lots with a hose, unless necessary to remove safety or sanitation hazards.
Stop water waste from inefficient landscape irrigation, and repair any water leaks as soon as possible.
Wash vehicles with a bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Do not allow runoff to enter the street and storm drain.
Serve water in restaurants only on request.
Offer hotel guests the option of not having their towels and linens laundered daily.
The Carlsbad City Council acts as the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, which encompasses 85 percent of the city. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the Vallecitos Water District serve the southeastern part of the city.
City creates zone to protect Carlsbad's farmlands.
The farmlands that stretch along Cannon Road east of Interstate 5 received extra protection with the passage of a new zone that encourages the continuation of agriculture on the lands for as long as financially feasible.
The City Council adopted the Cannon Road Agricultural and Open Space Zone on May 24, fulfilling the intent of voters who passed 2006's Proposition D, "Preserve the Flower and Strawberry Fields and Save Taxpayers Money," which was spearheaded by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
That measure preserves the land as agriculture for as long as it is economically viable for the landowners. If the landowners choose to discontinue agriculture, only open space uses would be permitted on the land.
The new zone applies to three pieces of property:
• 172 acres north of Cannon Road and south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon owned by San Diego Gas & Electric. Most of this property is cultivated as strawberry fields and has become closely associated with Carlsbad's identity. The zone does not include the 50 acres along I-5 that are designated for commercial tourist use.
• 46 acres south of Cannon Road and north of The Flower Fields. This property is frequently cultivated with flowers, so is sometimes considered part of the traditional Flower Fields. (The Flower Fields are not part of the zone, because they are already preserved "in perpetuity" by a development agreement and deed restriction.)
• 26 acres on the southeast corner of Cannon and Legoland Drive, which is also often cultivated with flowers or crops.
The new zone doesn't recommend any development, but specifies permitted uses and provides a set of "guiding principles" for the use and development of the lands.The new zone prohibits residential development.