Joining public agencies throughout the region, the city of Carlsbad has enacted an updated drought response ordinance to address critical water shortages throughout Southern California.
The San Diego region is currently in a level one drought emergency. Under the new rules, level one calls for voluntary water conservation with the goal of reducing water use by 10 percent.
If the water situation gets worse, as is expected, a level two emergency could be declared. At level two, the city of Carlsbad will have the option of making certain water conservation measures mandatory.
Water agencies throughout San Diego County are enacting similar measures due to severe drought conditions affecting Northern California and the Colorado River basin, where most of the region's local water supply originates. In future years, additional water supplies are expected to become available in Carlsbad, including the planned Carlsbad desalination plant and an expanded water recycling program.
The city's ordinance contains four levels of response, depending on the severity of the water shortage, that are detailed below. In addition, a number of conservation measures for businesses and residents are now in force at all times, including:
• No washing down of paved surfaces, unless necessary for safety or sanitation.
• 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.
• Serve water in restaurants only on request.
• Offer hotel guests the option of not laundering towels and linens daily.
The city of Carlsbad has worked with the local business community to let them know about the new restrictions, especially the restaurant and hospitality industries. For more information about the updated drought-response water conservation program, call the Carlsbad Municipal Water District at (760) 438-2722.
For information about water conservation measures for your business or home, including rebates for appliances and equipment that conserve water, visit www.20gallonchallenge.com.
New water conservation rules
Level 1 – Drought Watch (Voluntary, 10 percent reduction in water use):
• Irrigate residential and commercial landscape only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Repair all water leaks within five days of notification by the water district.
Level 2 – Drought Alert (Mandatory, 20 percent reduction in water use):
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than three days per week on a schedule set by the water district. From November through May, landscape irrigation is limited to no more than once per week. This rule does not apply to commercial growers or nurseries.
• Limit lawn watering and landscape irrigation using sprinklers to no more than 10 minutes per day.
• Repair all leaks within 72 hours of notification by the water district.
Level 3 – Drought Critical (Mandatory, up to 30 percent reduction in water use):
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than two assigned days per week.
• Stop filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life.
• Stop washing vehicles except at commercial carwashes that re-circulate water or by high pressure/low volume wash systems.
• Repair all leaks within 48 hours of notification by the water district.
• No new potable water service shall be provided and no new temporary or permanent meters will be installed, with certain exceptions included in the ordinance.
• The City Council, sitting as the water district board, may establish mandatory limits on water use by homes and businesses. A penalty can be assessed for water use above the home or business's water allocation.
Level 4 – Drought Emergency (Mandatory, more than 40 percent reduction in water use):
• Stop all landscape irrigation, except crops and landscape products of commercial growers and nurseries.
• Repair all water leaks within 24 hours of notification by the water district.
• The water district may install a flow restricting device at homes or businesses where the customer has repeatedly violated the provisions of the drought response ordinance.
• Tampering with or removing a flow restriction device may result in termination of service for a period determined by the water district.
• Water-use limits may be established for commercial and residential customers, with penalties for water use in excess of the limits.
The San Diego region is currently in a level one drought emergency. Under the new rules, level one calls for voluntary water conservation with the goal of reducing water use by 10 percent.
If the water situation gets worse, as is expected, a level two emergency could be declared. At level two, the city of Carlsbad will have the option of making certain water conservation measures mandatory.
Water agencies throughout San Diego County are enacting similar measures due to severe drought conditions affecting Northern California and the Colorado River basin, where most of the region's local water supply originates. In future years, additional water supplies are expected to become available in Carlsbad, including the planned Carlsbad desalination plant and an expanded water recycling program.
The city's ordinance contains four levels of response, depending on the severity of the water shortage, that are detailed below. In addition, a number of conservation measures for businesses and residents are now in force at all times, including:
• No washing down of paved surfaces, unless necessary for safety or sanitation.
• 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.
• Serve water in restaurants only on request.
• Offer hotel guests the option of not laundering towels and linens daily.
The city of Carlsbad has worked with the local business community to let them know about the new restrictions, especially the restaurant and hospitality industries. For more information about the updated drought-response water conservation program, call the Carlsbad Municipal Water District at (760) 438-2722.
For information about water conservation measures for your business or home, including rebates for appliances and equipment that conserve water, visit www.20gallonchallenge.com.
New water conservation rules
Level 1 – Drought Watch (Voluntary, 10 percent reduction in water use):
• Irrigate residential and commercial landscape only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Repair all water leaks within five days of notification by the water district.
Level 2 – Drought Alert (Mandatory, 20 percent reduction in water use):
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than three days per week on a schedule set by the water district. From November through May, landscape irrigation is limited to no more than once per week. This rule does not apply to commercial growers or nurseries.
• Limit lawn watering and landscape irrigation using sprinklers to no more than 10 minutes per day.
• Repair all leaks within 72 hours of notification by the water district.
Level 3 – Drought Critical (Mandatory, up to 30 percent reduction in water use):
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than two assigned days per week.
• Stop filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life.
• Stop washing vehicles except at commercial carwashes that re-circulate water or by high pressure/low volume wash systems.
• Repair all leaks within 48 hours of notification by the water district.
• No new potable water service shall be provided and no new temporary or permanent meters will be installed, with certain exceptions included in the ordinance.
• The City Council, sitting as the water district board, may establish mandatory limits on water use by homes and businesses. A penalty can be assessed for water use above the home or business's water allocation.
Level 4 – Drought Emergency (Mandatory, more than 40 percent reduction in water use):
• Stop all landscape irrigation, except crops and landscape products of commercial growers and nurseries.
• Repair all water leaks within 24 hours of notification by the water district.
• The water district may install a flow restricting device at homes or businesses where the customer has repeatedly violated the provisions of the drought response ordinance.
• Tampering with or removing a flow restriction device may result in termination of service for a period determined by the water district.
• Water-use limits may be established for commercial and residential customers, with penalties for water use in excess of the limits.