Water district restricts usage as drought conditions leave area reservoirs half full
In response to historic dry conditions, the Marin Municipal Water District became the first major Bay Area supplier to restrict lawn watering to two days per week or face penalties as high as $250 per violation.
The rules adopted on Tuesday are in response to the driest 16-month period in the district’s 143 years of rainfall records. Only 20 inches fell this rain season, the second-lowest on record and less than was received during Marin’s worst drought, in 1976-77.
“It’s looking like we are in another historic drought,” Lucy Croy, the district’s water quality manager, told the board on Tuesday.
The board voted unanimously to limit outdoor sprinkler use to two days per week and require pools to be covered when not in use. Drip irrigation is allowed three days per week. There are no limits on watering using a hose with an attached spray nozzle.
The rules took effect immediately and affect 191,000 customers in central and southern Marin.
Enforcement began on May 1 and appears to rely heavily on citizen reporting. Rulebreakers will be given an initial warning. Any subsequent violation will result in a $25 fine, then a $250 fine that can be increased should violations continue.
The district is encouraging ratepayers to report water waste by emailing Conservation@MarinWater.org, calling 415-945-1523 or submitting an online form at marinwater.org/forms/water-waste-report.
The sprinkler restrictions and pool cover requirements are the latest rules adopted by the district in an attempt to cut back on water use by 40% to ensure it has enough supply by the coming winter.
Other prohibitions adopted by the district in late April include vehicle washing at home; power washing; refilling decorative fountains; golf course irrigation except for greens and tees beginning May 20; and using water for dust control and street cleaning.
Achieving the 40% reduction would equate to all customers using an average of 60 gallons of water per day or less.
The district’s seven reservoirs in the Mount Tamalpais watershed are just over half full when they would normally be close to 90% full at this time of year.
Through conservation, the district hopes to have at least 30,000 acre-feet of supply — just over a third of its total supply capacity and one year’s worth of supply under normal water use. If supplies drop below that amount in December, that will automatically trigger a 50% conservation mandate.
The board initially considered restricting sprinkler use to one day per week and assigning specific watering days for each community.
However, the board changed it to two days per week after residents raised concerns last month that people would abuse the rule and drench their lawns and landscapes.
Board members signaled that tougher conservation rules might be needed should residents and businesses not cut back enough.
“I’m concerned that we’re not taking enough action soon enough,” said director Larry Russell, who suggested the board revisit the rules at least monthly.
Director Monty Schmitt said he was alarmed that April water use among customers was higher than the previous five years despite the dry conditions.
“I worry about our projections into the future, that we may be in uncharted territory,” Schmitt said.
Should next winter continue to be dry, the district is already in early talks on costly emergency backup plans, including a temporary desalination plant and a temporary water pipeline over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to pump in State Water Project supplies from the East Bay.
Several residents called on the district to adopt even stricter regulations, including water rationing. Frank Egger of Fairfax and other attendees urged the board to adopt a moratorium on new water connections.
“One more dry year and we’re in deep trouble,” Egger said. “We will run out of water. It’s time to end the casual approach to our water usage and supply.”
The board plans to discuss potential changes to new water connections at its May 18 meeting, according to Ben Horenstein, the general manager.
In response to calls for stricter measures, Horenstein said the board will be able to adapt its rules as the water supply situation changes.
“I think we have time to be measured and thoughtful and bring the community along,” Horenstein said.
Other residents raised concerns about the potential financial impacts of requiring pool coverings, especially for pools that have irregular shapes. On Tuesday, the board adopted a $100 rebate for pool covers.
Additionally, the board voted unanimously to improve other rebates and water-saving incentives on Tuesday, such as:
• increasing the turf conversion rebate from $1 to $3 per square foot through October.
• offering free sheet mulching provided by local nonprofit organizations to remove lawns.
• a $115 discount on “smart” metering technology provided by Flume.
• a $50 rebate on hot water recirculating devices.
“This is the other piece for a comprehensive approach,” director Larry Bragman said. “We have the stick. This is the carrot.”
More information about the district’s water restrictions can be found at marinwater.org/waterrules.