DWA to allow extra watering days this summer
Officials with the Desert Water Agency are loosening the nozzle on their outdoor watering schedule as the Coachella Valley begins to warm up significantly.
DWA customers can now add Saturday and Sunday to the previous watering schedule of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Officials said all watering is still only allowed before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on those days. The new outdoor watering schedule will be in place until October 31.
The decision to ease current water use restrictions was based on local and statewide water supply conditions, above average temperatures and a recent decision by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to change the way percentage savings requirements are calculated for water agencies throughout the state, according to the release.
“We want our customers to keep their plants and trees alive through the summer,” said DWA Board President James Cioffi. “We were hearing a lot of concern from families and businesses about major landscape losses. We have also seen a major change in our community over the past year and we are confident that our customers are now more efficient users.”
Desert Water Agency has until June 22 to determine its new state standard, but the Agency determined a 10-13% annual conservation standard that accounts for long-term sustainability. DWA believes this will be stricter than the state requirement, officials said.
Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:
Outdoor watering is allowed Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (through 10/31/16) before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
Washing of hardscapes (sidewalk, driveway, etc.) is prohibited
Water flowing onto adjacent property or hardscapes is prohibited
Using a hose (without a shut-off nozzle) to wash vehicles is prohibited
Irrigating up to 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited
Water waste is prohibited
The Coachella Valley Water District recently announced it was lifting drought penalties after June 1 when the state decided to end mandatory conservation targets in favor of water-supply based targets, giving local water district’s more control.
