PWP to Implement New Emergency Water Conservation Regulation Issued by State Water Board

The Pasadena Water and Power will implement additional emergency drought measures starting June 6, in compliance with new State Water Resource Control Board restrictions.

Passed on May 24, the Emergency Water Conservation regulation, which applies only to commercial, industrial and institutional properties, prohibits irrigating “non-functional turf” or turf that is not used for any recreational purpose, such as grass in front of or next to large industrial or commercial buildings.

The ban does not include watering turf on sports or play fields or fields used for recreation or other community purposes.

It also does not impose further restrictions on water used at residences or water used to maintain trees.

The newly adopted regulation also requires all urban water suppliers to implement conservation actions under Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans.

Pasadena already implemented Level 2 rules last August.

Level 2 conservation restricts outdoor watering to two days per week from April to October and one day per week from November to March. Prior to the implementation of the water schedule, Pasadena residents may water three days a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

In a statement to Pasadena Now, PWP said it will continue to work closely with its community and partners to comply with the state regulations and provide support “to help transform non-functional turf to water-efficient California friendly and native landscaping.”

PWP’s Water Savers Team will also continue to visit neighborhoods to educate the public on how to conserve water.

PWP said Water Savers offer customers help on irrigation checkups, conservation tips, and other valuable services, and remind customers of watering restrictions in place.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the first three months of 2022 have seen record dry weather, and pushed nearly 94% of California into severe drought conditions.

“California is facing stressed ecosystems, diminished reservoir storage, impacted farming operations and threats to our urban water supplies,” said PWP.

With the worsening drought conditions, PWP has advised the public to ensure compliance with the Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Plan and compliance with local drought measures. More information about the plan can be accessed here: https://www.PWPweb.com/Schedule.

PWP also advised the public to strictly follow the current outdoor watering schedule, replace their turf with drought-tolerant and California native plants, which use less water and are more resilient to heat and drought and repair all leaks and adjust sprinkler spray to avoid water waste, among other things, to help address the drought crisis.

For more information on current drought conditions and water conservation, visit: cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/savewater/.