Rowland Water District Eases Drought Restrictions
Improved supply allows shift to 10 percent conservation

Rowland Heights, CA (July 25, 2016) – Rowland Water District (RWD) has eased its drought restrictions, thanks to conservation efforts, improved supplies and new state regulations that allow agencies to set their own savings targets.

On July 19, 2016, RWD’s Board of Directors approved moving to Level 1 of the District’s Water Conservation and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This stage went into effect immediately and requires mandatory savings of at least 10 percent.

“While we are able to relax the restrictions, people still need to be careful about how they use water. The ongoing drought has shown us that water efficiency has to be a way of life now,” RWD General Manager Tom Coleman said.

Under Level 1, RWD customers can irrigate with potable water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and must repair leaks, breaks and plumbing malfunctions within 72 hours. Those who exceed the 10 percent reduction will be billed an additional $2.52 per unit.

Previously, state regulators responding to a drought emergency ordered RWD to cut water use 20 percent from 2013 levels. Recent revisions to the rules, however, allow water suppliers to set their own conservation targets based on their individual supply situations.

“RWD has worked diligently to develop more drought-proof local supplies,” Board President Szu Pei Lu-Yang said. “The District is expanding its recycled water system, cleaning up groundwater and taking other steps to decrease reliance on imports from the State Water Project.”

In May, the most recent period for which figures are available, RWD customers cut water use by 20 percent compared with the same month in 2013. The District’s cumulative savings between June 2015 and May 2016 was 12.5 percent.

Gov. Jerry Brown has permanently banned outdoor water waste such as irrigation runoff, hosing off sidewalks and driveways, and watering within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.

To report overwatering or runoff, or for more information about water conservation and a complete list of regulations, call 562-697-1726, or visit www.rwd.org.

 ###