Emergency Regulations Go Into Effect for Urban Water Conservation

A new statewide emergency water conservation regulation that bans using potable (drinkable) water on decorative or non-functional grass at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties went into effect earlier this month. It also requires urban water suppliers to implement all demand-reduction actions under Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans. The State Water Board adopted the regulation at its May 24 board meeting, and the Office of Administrative Law gave it final approval on June 10.

The new restrictions are in response to Governor Newsom’s March 28 Executive Order calling for water conservation directives to address California’s new normal of climate extremes. The regulation’s ban on watering non-functional turf (turf is defined as mowed grass) at commercial, industrial and institutional properties includes areas like the grass in front of or next to large commercial buildings and common areas managed by homeowners’ associations. The ban does not include watering grass used for human recreation or other community activities, watering residential grass or watering trees. The ban also does not prohibit the use of recycled water for irrigating non-functional turf.

“With increased aridification as our new reality, there is an urgency to all of us understanding and acting to ensure that water conservation is a California way of life. These regulations are part of our shared responsibility to address non-essential outdoor water use as our communities experience record-breaking drought and plan for dry conditions into next year,” said Joaquin

Esquivel, chair of the State

Water Board.

There also are new options for addressing water waste.

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