The California State Water Resources Control Board (the Board) adopted a proposal on February 2, 2016 to extend statewide emergency conservation measures through October 2016 in response to drought conditions throughout the state. This extension follows the original emergency regulation implemented in May 2015 which set a goal for a 25 percent statewide reduction in urban water use between June 2015 and February 2016. Governor Brown issued an Executive Order on November 13, 2015 to maintain water use restrictions until October 31, 2016. This regulation carries out Brown’s order and makes several adjustments in water conservation policies to respond to public comments.
In adopting extended water use regulations, the Board acknowledges that it is vital for residents to maintain their water conservation habits despite the recent rainfall that has helped ameliorate drought conditions. The extended regulations will be implemented with the understanding that increasing rainfall amounts in the coming months could lead the Board to abandon or revise the conservation targets in the future. Records released from December 2015 indicate a statewide water conservation rate of 25.5 percent over a seven month period. Officials anticipate the conservation rate going forward to exceed 20 percent rather than the 25 percent previously projected. Even so, this revised figure would result in saving sufficient water for an average of two million families through October, 2016.
The revisions provide thresholds for the amount of water that each community must conserve based on their residential gallons per capita per day. It also authorizes the provision of credits to urban water suppliers that range from two to eight percentage points. Suppliers may receive their credits based on either the status of the area they maintain or information provided by them which affects the adjustment figure. Credits may be obtained by: (i) demonstrating a difference in climate as compared to other regions in the state, (ii) establishing the presence of water-efficient growth in an urban community, or (iii) contributing to the development of new, drought-resistant sources of water.
Contact Shane Coons at 949-333-0900 or visit his website at www.ShaneCoonsLaw.com to find out more about his practice.