Coachella Valley takes steps to increase water conservation

Last week Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD) Board of Directors approved steps to voluntarily increase domestic water conservation before statewide restrictions become mandatory.

The actions are part of the District Water Shortage Contingency Plan adopted last June. The plan includes six shortage levels, ranging from normal water supplies to severe shortage. The steps approved April 12 are listed in Shortage Levels 2 and 3 increasing landscape rebates to customers and implementing some water-use restrictions.

The board approved the following conservation actions:

• Increase turf rebates from $2 per square foot to $3 per square foot.
• Prohibit outdoor water use between 10 a.m. and sunset for spray irrigation.
• Limit water service in restaurants to only on request.
• CVWD will discourage overseeding.
• CVWD will boost its public information campaign.
• CVWD will encourage enforcement agencies and HOAs to suspend code enforcement and fines for brown turf grass areas.

Steps outlined in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan can be used during drought years to comply with state water-use restrictions even if there is no shortage in water supplies.

To learn more about rebates, water-use efficiency tips or local drought information visit cvwd.org/conservation.