State Water Resources Control Board Announces Emergency Regulation for Water Reduction

The State Water Resources Control Board adopted an emergency regulation to reduce water demand and improve water conservation. It requires all urban water suppliers to implement demand reduction measures. Urban water suppliers must comply with the emergency regulation regardless of whether or not an actual water shortage exists for the supplier’s service area. Mesa Water has an abundant supply of water due to long-term investments in water sources and infrastructure. Between the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) expert management of the Orange County

Groundwater Basin (Basin) and the Groundwater Replenishment System, which helps refill the Basin – along with the Mesa Water Reliability Facility, our customers always have several years’ supply of 100% local, reliable, clean, safe, groundwater in storage.

To comply with the emergency regulation, Mesa Water has put outdoor watering restrictions in place because outdoors is where we use the most water and it is where customers can make the most impact by watering more efficiently. The following outdoor watering restrictions are now in effect:

• Mesa Water District residential customers are limited to four (4) days per week for outdoor watering. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day. Hand-held watering cans, buckets, or similar containers reasonably used to convey water for irrigation purposes are not subject to these time restrictions. Similarly, a hand-held hose equipped with a fully functioning, positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device may be used during the otherwise restricted period.
• Commercial customers are not permitted to water any grass that is ornamental and not used for recreational purposes, except to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings, or to address an immediate health and safety need.
• All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution system must be repaired within 72 hours of notification by Mesa Water, or turned off, unless other arrangements are made with the District.
   

Mesa Water’s Board of Directors established a rate stabilization fund, designated to cover shortfalls in revenue from reduced water use, so we don’t have to raise rates when we are being required to ask customers to cut back on their water use.

In addition, thanks to our customers’ efficient water use during the last statewide drought emergency, Mesa Water exceeded our state mandated 20 percent conservation without raising rates and negative impacts to our financial standing.