Current Water Restrictions - April 30, 2015

April 1, 2015, Governor Brown directed a statewide mandatory water reduction of 25%.  Since this time, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and local water authorities have developed new water guidelines and restrictions. On April 28^th, The State Water Resources Control Board released the Notice of Proposed Emergency Regulation.   Cities and water districts have been divided into nine tiers with water use reductions ranging from 4 - 36%.  Out of the 6 water suppliers in the Coachella Valley, 4 are in the highest tier requiring the largest reductions. (Tier 9:  CVWD, DWA, Myoma Dunes, Indio Water Authority, Tier 8:  Mission Springs, Tier 6:  City of Coachella)  The following is also included in the proposed regulations:

Irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited; and Irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings not in accordance with emergency regulations or other requirements established in the California Building Standards Code is prohibited.

Final emergency drought regulations will be determined at the State Water Board's meeting on May 5-6.  For more information:   Emergency Regulations Fact Sheet

What's Happening at the Local Level?

Coachella Valley Water District:   Proposed drought measures to be adopted at their next meeting on May 12^th include:

• Reduce outdoor water use 36% below their normal "water budget" that is on their bills.  Penalties will be charged for water use above that amount.
• Penalties would be used to offset the district's lost revenue and toward conservation programs
• Outdoor watering limited to 4 days per week, either before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Current Restrictions are still in effect from August 12, 2014

CVWD services 1,000 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea - most areas are located within the Coachella Valley - Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indio, Palm Desert,and  Indian Wells.   Their boundaries also include small portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.                  www.cvwd.org

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 Desert Water Agency - As of April 21, 2015, the following are prohibited:

• Outdoor residential irrigation shall be restricted to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, after 7:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m.
• A commercial, industrial or institutional customer may implement an alternative water use reduction plan that achieves reductions in water use equivalent to those expected from the restrictions prescribed herein, if approved in advance by the General Manager.
• Runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures is prohibited.
• Irrigating up to 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited.
• The use of potable water to irrigate turf within street medians, and turf within the dedicated right of way on either side of a public street, is prohibited

DWA services a 325 square mile area including parts of Cathedral City, outlying county areas, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs.                    www.dwa.org

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Indio Water Authority No new restrictions have been issued.  As of October 15, 2014, restrictions include:

• Lawns and landscaping may be watered only between the hours of 6pm and 6 am with irrigation repairs, if necessary, restricted to the hours between 6 am and 10 am.

 Indio Water Authority services approximately 38 square miles in Indio.     www.indiowater.org

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Mission Springs Water District - Effective April 27, 2015

• Watering allowed only on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  Between June and September, the district will allow outdoor watering on Saturdays.  Watering prohibited between 6am - 6pm.
• Violators to receive a written first warning, followed by a possible $100 surcharge for the second violation and $200 for the third violation.

Mission Springs Water District services 135 square miles including Desert Hot Springs and surrounding area, West Palm Springs and Palm Springs Crest         www.mswd.org

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Myoma Dunes Water Company No new restrictions have been issued.  As of November 2014, regulations include:

• Visually inspect irrigation systems to make sure they are working properly
• Only water after sundown and before sunrise
• Be aware of the water you use and where it is being used
• Understand that fines may be imposed for non-compliance with state mandates.

 Myoma Dunes Water Company services Bermuda Dunes.  www.myomawater.com

Updates to follow as new restrictions develop.