The city of San Diego began implementing its most stringent water restrictions to date on Friday following new orders and regulations from both Governor Gavin Gavin Newsom and the State Water Resources Control Board.
According to an announcement from the city, San Diego will follow the state’s level 2 water shortage plan as well as the water contingency plan in San Diego. As of Friday, all San Diego water customers must use a hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle, hand-held container, or a garden hose sprinkler system within one hour if no irrigation system is present. Any watering will also not be allowed within 48 hours after a “rain event”.
In addition, landscaping will be limited to only 3 times per week either before noon. 10.00. or after kl. 18:00 to avoid a high amount of water evaporation due to the heat, although commercial growers, commercial nurseries and golf course greens and trees will still be exempt. Those under construction will be required to use only recycled or non-drinking water when available. And finally, all residents will be banned from washing the car at home, with car washing only allowed at commercial car washes.
While many of the new restrictions are aimed at residents, the city must also follow the same regulations for its own properties and facilities. The emergency regulations will be in place for at least one year, and San Diego also offers discounts to homes and businesses to put in place water-saving measures such as rain barrels and gutters, replacement of peat and other water-saving alternatives.
More restrictions in San Diego
“We ask San Diegans to take these steps now so that we can help avoid a more serious situation in the near future,” San Diego Public Utilities Director Juan Guerreiro explained Friday. “Water is a valuable resource, and we must use our water wisely. We hope San Diegans will take the new restrictions to heart and take advantage of the range of discounts and water saving tips on offer. ”
Sweet Water Authority CEO Carlos Quintero, who oversees aquaculture in many San Diego suburbs, added: “It’s not easy to achieve, it’s definitely a monumental task. Our customers are doing a great job of addressing aquaculture. “seriously and really adjust to reduce water use. The numbers go together. As water agencies, we have to look at the whole unit. Every little bit counts.”
Others have noted that although San Diego is not in nearly as much trouble as Northern California is now and has enough water for now, it is not known how long the drought will last or whether any water sources can be denied later in the year. the next few years.
“We need to be smart about water use,” Lyle Oliver, a water control expert who has helped villages and towns on three continents survive drought, told Globe on Friday. “SoCal, as much as they use water, has managed not to waste tons of water or environmental reasons. Some are still used for environmental reasons, but in general, plus over a century of draining water sources has helped them survive. San Diego “They even have some pretty important features like desalination plants and a large water recovery program and drought resistance (Pure Water Program). So while they are putting these restrictions, they are obviously doing this now to keep future water intact.”
“It’s going to be a little restrictive over the next year or two, but right now California looks like they can get out of this if they do it smart.”
Additional restrictions in San Diego, as well as other areas of the state, may arise if the drought becomes more prolonged.