CVWD Board takes head start on conservation actions

The Coachella Valley Water District has issued the following press release:

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 28, 2022 asking water agencies to consider adopting Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans. In response, on April 12, CVWD’s Board of Directors approved steps to voluntarily increase domestic water conservation before statewide restrictions become mandatory.

The actions are part of the District Water Shortage Contingency Plan adopted in June 2021. The plan includes six shortage levels, ranging from normal water supplies to severe shortage. The steps approved April 12 are listed in Shortage Levels 2 and 3 increasing landscape rebates to customers and implementing some water-use restrictions.

The board approved the following conservation actions:

• CVWD will increase turf rebates from $2 per square foot to $3 per square foot.
• Prohibit outdoor water use between 10 a.m. and sunset for spray irrigation.
• Limit water service in restaurants to only on request.
• CVWD will discourage overseeding.
• CVWD will boost its public information campaign.
• CVWD will encourage enforcement agencies and HOAs to suspend code enforcement and fines for brown turf grass areas.

Steps outlined in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan can be used during drought years to comply with state water-use restrictions even if there is no shortage in water supplies.

The Governor’s March 28 executive order also asks the State Water Resources Control Board to consider a ban on irrigating “non-functional turf” in commercial, industrial and institutional settings. That is turf not used for recreation, sports fields or parks.

To learn more about rebates, water-use efficiency tips or local drought information visit cvwd.org/conservation.

Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors.  The district provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 108,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles located primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.