Mayor Kevin Faulconer is recommending the City of San Diego move to “drought alert” status, the second phase of citywide water conservation calling for mandatory measures for all residents and businesses. The new measures would go into effect Nov. 1, pending City Council approval.
Meanwhile, the city’s Environment Committee voted Wednesday in favor of the restrictions. “San Diegans have responded to the statewide drought by conserving water at impressive levels,” Faulconer said in an Oct. 7 statement. “Unfortunately, a record heat wave and a dwindling water supply require us to do even more. I am recommending to the City Council that San Diego adopt mandatory conservation measures to ensure that we all do our part to conserve as much water as possible.”
In 2011, the city enacted permanent measures more stringent than those of most cities and water districts throughout the state. And on Faulconer’s recommendation and with council approval, the city entered into a “drought watch” status on July 1, 2014, calling for additional voluntary conservation measures in response to the statewide drought. Water usage in San Diego fell 4.4 percent in August and 5.7 percent in September compared with the same months a year ago.
However, other factors, including a significant decline in ground water reserves throughout California, a drop in water reservoirs for the San Diego region, a lack of rainfall and diminished prospects for a strong El Niño and a severe heat wave for the San Diego region in August and September, led Faulconer to call for the second-phase status.
Under the new guidelines, the voluntary measures in effect since July will become mandatory. They also call for the additional measures, pending council approval, to go into effect Nov. 1, to wit: • Watering and landscape irrigation using sprinklers will be limited to no more than three days a week on a schedule established and posted by the city.
• Watering will be allowed at residences with odd-numbered addresses on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; watering will be allowed at residences with even-numbered addresses on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Apartments, condominiums and businesses will be allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• During the months of June through October, the watering limit is no more than 10 minutes per assigned day; during November through May, the watering limit is no more than 7 minutes per assigned day.
• The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, airplanes and other types of transportation equipment is allowed only before before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. during the months of June through October and only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. during November through May.
• Operation of ornamental fountains will be stopped except to the extent needed for maintenance.
• Potted plants, noncommercial vegetable gardens and fruit trees may be irrigated on any day but only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. during the months of June through October and only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. during November through May.
• Use of water from fire hydrants will be limited to firefighting, meter installation by the Water Department or other activities necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of San Diegans.
• Construction operations receiving water from a fire hydrant or water truck will not use water beyond normal construction activities.
The city plans to enforce the new mandatory measures at no additional budgetary impact to water ratepayers. About ten staff members in the Public Utilities Department will be tasked with enforcement, which largely calls for educating the public and working with residents and businesses to comply. The city will shift responsibilities for some workers and fill existing budgeted vacancies to ensure proper and adequate enforcement. – Staff and contribution