California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Cal Water filed to rescind Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this week due to improved drought conditions and increased water supply throughout its districts. Cal Water says that while Stage 1 becomes effective immediately, the change is subject to a 30-day review period by the CPUC.
“This year has been one of the wettest on record, with a snowpack that has reached historic levels; however, we must remember that it follows three of the driest years on record,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water President and CEO. “As our changing climate makes these extreme weather patterns more frequent, we will continue to work with our customers to build and maintain long-term conservation habits that prepare us for when the weather pendulum swings back to dry years.”
In Stage 1 customers must continue to observe any city or county landscape irrigation ordinances in effect. Cal Water is also encouraging customers to remain vigilant about their water use and, in particular, ensure landscaping actually needs water before irrigating it.
Some outdoor water-use restrictions remain in place, including:
- No watering of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties.
- Watering only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- No watering of outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
- Only washing vehicles with a hose that has a shutoff nozzle or similar device, or at a car wash that uses recycled water.
- No watering driveways, sidewalks, or other paved areas, unless for health and safety purposes.
