The Carlsbad Municipal Water District has updated its water conservation ordinance to allow more flexibility in setting watering schedules for businesses and homes. The new rules went into effect Jan. 1.
Before the change, the district's rules called for reducing outdoor watering to once a week during the winter months when there is a stage 2 drought condition. The updated ordinance gives the district's general manager the ability to determine watering schedules based on current conditions.
Since the watering restrictions began in July, Carlsbad businesses and residences have successfully conserved water, exceeding the district's expectations. To date, the district's customers have cut back water use by 16 percent, which is 2 percent higher than the regional average and significantly more than the 8 percent requested by the San Diego County Water Authority.
“With conservation numbers at this level, there isn't a strong need to curtail outdoor watering to one day a week at this time,” said Mark Stone, general manager of the district. “Businesses are doing their part, and we want to recognize that.”
The city also is subject to the water use restrictions and has stopped operating the fountain on the corner of Grand Avenue and State Street in the Carlsbad Village. The city has aggressively expanded its use of recycled water, promoted increased conservation through water audits and rebate programs and supported the development of the Carlsbad Desalination Project, which started construction in November.
The city also has installed synthetic turf on athletic fields at Pine Avenue, Poinsettia Community, Stagecoach Community and Aviara Community parks, and on the event area at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
California continues to face severe water shortages due to a prolonged drought and legal restrictions on water pumped from Northern California.
“The changes to our watering rules don't mean businesses can let up on water conservation efforts,” Stone said. “Conserving water needs to be a way of life, and we need everyone's continued cooperation to manage through this water crisis.”
The following water use restrictions are now in effect (a full list is available on the city's Web site):
Irrigation
• Stop water waste from inefficient landscape irrigation, such as runoff, overspray and misdirected sprinklers.
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than three assigned days per week on the following schedule (this does not apply to commercial growers or nurseries):
– Homes with odd-numbered addresses: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
– Homes with even-numbered addresses: Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.
– Apartments, condos and businesses: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Irrigate landscape before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.
• Limit landscape irrigation to no more than 10 minutes a station, per assigned day (does not apply drip irrigation systems or other water efficient devices).
Washing
• 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.
• Wash vehicles with a bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
Fountains
• Stop operating decorative fountains unless they use reclaimed water.
Restaurants and hotels
• Serve water in restaurants only upon request.
• Offer hotel guests the option of not laundering towels and linens.
About 85 percent of the city of Carlsbad gets its water service from the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, a subsidiary district of the city of Carlsbad. The southeastern part of the city is served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the Vallecitos Water District. For information about their water use rules, please visit their Web sites.
For more information about the Carlsbad district's rules, visit www.carlsbadca.gov/water or call 760-438-2722.
Before the change, the district's rules called for reducing outdoor watering to once a week during the winter months when there is a stage 2 drought condition. The updated ordinance gives the district's general manager the ability to determine watering schedules based on current conditions.
Since the watering restrictions began in July, Carlsbad businesses and residences have successfully conserved water, exceeding the district's expectations. To date, the district's customers have cut back water use by 16 percent, which is 2 percent higher than the regional average and significantly more than the 8 percent requested by the San Diego County Water Authority.
“With conservation numbers at this level, there isn't a strong need to curtail outdoor watering to one day a week at this time,” said Mark Stone, general manager of the district. “Businesses are doing their part, and we want to recognize that.”
The city also is subject to the water use restrictions and has stopped operating the fountain on the corner of Grand Avenue and State Street in the Carlsbad Village. The city has aggressively expanded its use of recycled water, promoted increased conservation through water audits and rebate programs and supported the development of the Carlsbad Desalination Project, which started construction in November.
The city also has installed synthetic turf on athletic fields at Pine Avenue, Poinsettia Community, Stagecoach Community and Aviara Community parks, and on the event area at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
California continues to face severe water shortages due to a prolonged drought and legal restrictions on water pumped from Northern California.
“The changes to our watering rules don't mean businesses can let up on water conservation efforts,” Stone said. “Conserving water needs to be a way of life, and we need everyone's continued cooperation to manage through this water crisis.”
The following water use restrictions are now in effect (a full list is available on the city's Web site):
Irrigation
• Stop water waste from inefficient landscape irrigation, such as runoff, overspray and misdirected sprinklers.
• Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than three assigned days per week on the following schedule (this does not apply to commercial growers or nurseries):
– Homes with odd-numbered addresses: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
– Homes with even-numbered addresses: Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.
– Apartments, condos and businesses: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Irrigate landscape before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.
• Limit landscape irrigation to no more than 10 minutes a station, per assigned day (does not apply drip irrigation systems or other water efficient devices).
Washing
• 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.
• Wash vehicles with a bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
Fountains
• Stop operating decorative fountains unless they use reclaimed water.
Restaurants and hotels
• Serve water in restaurants only upon request.
• Offer hotel guests the option of not laundering towels and linens.
About 85 percent of the city of Carlsbad gets its water service from the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, a subsidiary district of the city of Carlsbad. The southeastern part of the city is served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the Vallecitos Water District. For information about their water use rules, please visit their Web sites.
For more information about the Carlsbad district's rules, visit www.carlsbadca.gov/water or call 760-438-2722.