Water Restrictions Conform with State Mandated Guidelines and Encourage Greater Water Saving Actions throughout the Community

  Earlier this year, Governor Jerry Brown called upon all Californians to reduce water usage by twenty percent, declaring a state-wide water emergency due to the extended drought conditions plaguing the entire state. While Rowland Water District (RWD) has prepared for this type of emergency for many years by developing new supplies and expanded recycled water systems, further water use reductions are now necessary to ensure long- term supply will meet demand.  To that end, the RWD Board of Directors formally adopted a full slate of mandatory water restrictions during its regular meeting on September 9, 2014, to ensure the stability and sustainability of our water supply.

The State Water Resources Control Board has already implemented the following restrictions:

Prohibitions for ALL urban water users in California:

  • The application of potable water to any driveway or sidewalk.
  • Using potable water to water outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff to adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots or structures.
  • Using a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle.
  • Using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is re-circulated. Recycled water is not mandated, but encouraged for fountain use.

In addition to those state mandated measures, some of the restrictions now required of RWD customers include:

  • No watering or irrigation of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  • Eliminate watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter or ditch.
  • Washing down of hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or alleys, should only be done when using a bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing shut-off device, a low volume, high-pressure cleaning machine, or a low-volume high-pressure water broom.
  • Eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, bars or other public places where food or drinks are sold or served should provide drinking water to patrons only upon request.
  • Watering or irrigation of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water is limited to two days per week (Monday and Friday).
  • Using water to wash motor vehicles, trailers, boats and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited except by use with a bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device.
  • Emptying or refilling swimming pools, spas and ponds for cleaning purposes is prohibited. Water levels may be maintained.
  • Water consumption as measured through the customer’s meter shall be reduced by the customer by twenty percent (20%).

A comprehensive list of the restrictions adopted by the RWD Board of Directors is available online at www.rwd.org and you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with all the mandated conservation measures.

“It is important that we act now as a community to ensure our water supply in the future so we are able to supply our customers’ needs,” says Ken Deck, General Manager at Rowland Water District. “We have worked hard to conserve, even during non-drought years, but the severity and duration of this drought now requires immediate attention.  We’ve adopted a series of measures designed to save water wherever it is used.”

Improvements to the water supply infrastructure, larger storage capacity, and tapping new sources of water are all keys to building a sustainable water supply for Rowland Water District, in preparation for this type of drought emergency. Drought periods are not uncommon for California, and understanding that has led to a strong level of preparation within the water community. Rowland Water District continues to invest in important conservation measures, and continues to develop new sources for a reliable potable water supply.

RWD asks for your commitment to preserve our most precious natural resource. Together, we can all make a difference and ensure water supply reliability for future generations by following these few simple steps.

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