Tighter water restrictions could be flowing down the pipe
Proposed water restrictions across the state could be changing, and cities across the Coachella valley will have to save more water or pay the price.
On Saturday regulators put out a revised plan for California’s mandatory water cuts.
The Desert Water Agency and the Coachella Valley Water District will now need to cut back water usage by 36 percent. Originally the goal was 35 percent.
“The state board revised the rules and now came out with nine tears, and in those nine tiers agencies are being asked to cut anywhere from four to 36 percent. So we’ve been moved from the tier four of 35 percent to tier nine of 36 percent savings,” said Katie Ruark, public information officer with the Desert Water Agency.
The goal for the Mission Springs Water District went from cutting 25 percent to 32 percent.
“The state has come to us with some mandates, you must do these things but we still want to implement them as effectively as possible for our local area,” said Ruark.
Golf courses that use well water will also have to cut back.
“Anyone that is using a private well will also be facing regulations, so prior to that statement we don’t have the ability to change the use of the private wells, because they are not connected to our system. Now the state is saying that if you use a private well we are looking to you to reduce as well,” said Ruark. The majority of golf courses in the Coachella Valley use well water.
Desert Water Agency’s water shortage contingency plan
Local water agencies say our area has not been calculated correctly, because it doesn’t account for our climate or the large amount of seasonal people who use water.
“We think it’s an inappropriate calculation because if a resident has a home here and they live here 4 months of the year, and then they go back to a colder climate, their irrigation system is still running all year round. And their water use is being put on the backs of the people who live here 12 months,” said Ruark.
If these new water restrictions go through, and water agencies are not able to meet their marks, the state will be fining the water agency $10,000 a day until they are in compliance.
If you live in Palm Springs or Cathedral City the Desert Water Agency is having an open forum for public comment on this new draft proposal. It’s April 21 at 8 a.m. at the DWA offices.
