California rolls out first-of-a-kind permanent water restrictions for cities and towns

San Francisco Chronicle / 3-12-24

Drought or no drought, California water regulators are pushing ahead with a new conservation policy that could force some communities to cut water use upward of 30% permanently — though on more lenient terms than originally proposed.

The first-of-its-kind regulation is intended to help the state confront chronic water shortages as climate change makes for hotter, drier weather. The initial draft of the regulation, released last year, was widely criticized for asking roughly 400 cities and water agencies to cut back too much too quickly. The cost of compliance was also a concern.

Acknowledging the burden, the State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday unveiled a revised set of rules that would allow some communities to use more water than originally planned as well as extend deadlines for meeting the conservation mandates. For example, required cuts, which go into effect gradually, would be spread out through 2040 instead of 2035, and wouldn’t begin until 2027 instead of next year.

SNIP

Under the proposal, water retailers are responsible for figuring out how to meet their target use. Some agencies are likely to request water savings from their customers, and others are likely to mandate it. Those that don’t meet their specified allocation would be subject to fines as high as $10,000 per day. The new draft of the regulation allows suppliers who face difficulty meeting their targets to seek “alternative pathways,” essentially applying for leeway.

Link (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/california-water-conservation-rules-18886278.php

Highlights (from the link):

• Compliance is likely to be most challenging for retailers in the Central Valley. For example,
-- By 2040, Atwater in Merced County would have to cut water use by 58%.
-- Kingsburg in Fresno County would have to cut back 50%.
-- Mountain House in San Joaquin County would have to cut back 41%.

• In the Bay Area the required cuts through 2040 would seldom exceed 10%. The weather is more moderate and conservation has long been at the fore of public planning.
-- The East Bay Municipal Utility District would face a 3% cut in 2040.
-- The Alameda County Water District would face a 6% reduction in 2040.
-- The city of San Jose’s Evergreen-Edenvale-Coyote area would face a 9% cut by 2040.

• The water board has long maintained that conservation is the least expensive way to ensure the state has enough water.

• The state has projected a 10% decrease in water supply by 2040 due to the warming and drying climate.