Authority Votes Today on Water Restrictions

The San Diego County Water Authority board of directors will vote today on the county’s first-ever mandatory water use prohibitions, a set of proposals that could mean the death of most lawns and, some say, of San Diego’s treasured laid-back lifestyle.

At a 1 p.m. public hearing--and later at a 4 p.m. board meeting--the 34 directors will discuss three proposals designed to force the authority’s 23 member agencies to cut water consumption by 50%.

Such a decrease is essential because the Metropolitan Water District, the region’s wholesaler--upon which San Diego County relies for more than 90% of its water--is cutting its deliveries in half beginning April 1.

The three proposals the board will consider are all variations of the Emergency Drought Response Program that the water authority’s staff released last week.

The first version is nearly identical to that program, which proposes to levy hefty surcharges on--and, if necessary, restrict water deliveries to--member agencies that do not adopt certain measures (outlined below). Among those measures: the prohibition of most outdoor watering.

A second, slightly less stringent proposal would allow irrigation every two weeks of lawns (with a hand-held hose) and fairways on golf courses (with sprinklers).

A third proposal--by far the least restrictive--does not prohibit any water uses and does not allow the authority to levy surcharges on noncompliant member agencies. Mark Stadler, a spokesman for the authority, summarized the third plan this way: “It says: ‘Here’s your allocation. You figure out how to use it.’ ”

Judging from interviews with more than a dozen directors, it appears unlikely that proposal will be adopted. Mark W. Watton, a board member who represents the Otay Water District, said that, in the midst of a fifth year of drought, the board cannot afford to do the popular thing.

“I would rather be more conservative in our approach--that is, to make it a little tougher on some of the watering of lawns,” said Watton, a property management executive with Fenton Western Properties. Tough restrictions are painful, he said, but necessary. “People are going to be unhappy. (But) we don’t know when the drought is going to end.”

The first, most stringent, version of the proposed prohibitions reads (with minor editing): 1. Irrigation of turf.

Irrigation of turf is prohibited except under the following circumstances:

a. For active public park and school ground areas no more than twice weekly;

b. At licensed day care centers no more than twice weekly;

c. For purposes of maintaining public safety (such as fire protection); and

d. When using reclaimed water, gray water or private well water.

2. Irrigation of ground cover.

Irrigation of ground cover is prohibited except under the following circumstances:

a. For fire protection;

b. Where trees and shrubs are interspersed amid ground cover (and then only once every 14 days); and

c. For preservation of existing ground cover that is designed to stabilize slopes (and then only once every 14 days).

3. Irrigation of trees, shrubs, including agricultural production.

Irrigation of trees, shrubs and other plants that are not turf or ground cover is allowed only by hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, bucket or micro-irrigation systems/equipment. Sprinkler systems may only be used for agricultural production, watering active public park and school ground areas, maintenance of ground cover in accordance with (the previous prohibition) and for purposes of maintaining public safety (such as fire protection).

4. Irrigation watering hours.

No outdoor irrigation shall occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., except when using a micro-irrigation system/equipment, or for agricultural production, or when using reclaimed water, gray water or private well water. Anyone using such alternative water sources shall post signs along public rights of way noting the type of usage.

5. Hosing or spraying of paved or hard surfaces.

Hosing paved or hard surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, driveways, patios, streets and parking areas, is prohibited except for compelling public health and safety reasons. Allowed hosing activities shall be done only with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Spraying hard surfaces during irrigation activities is prohibited.

6. Runoff and repairing of leaks.

All runoff except natural runoff from property is prohibited. Leaks to irrigation and plumbing systems shall be immediately repaired.

7. Filling of pools and spas.

Filling of new residential pools and spas is prohibited except under the following circumstances:

a. Where the owner can produce and demonstrate a conservation offset; or,

b. Where the owner can produce evidence that private well water will be utilized.

Draining of existing pools is prohibited except under orders of the appropriate local health or building official.

8. Recreational and ornamental lakes and ponds.

Recreational and ornamental lakes and ponds may not be filled or refilled except with reclaimed water or other non-potable water. Those who have lakes and ponds utilizing reclaimed water or other non-potable water must post signs noting such usage.

9. Golf course irrigation.

Golf courses may use potable water supplied by a member agency only to irrigate tees and greens. Irrigation of fairways and roughs with potable water or any blend is prohibited. Golf courses irrigating with reclaimed water or other non-potable water shall post signs noting such usage.

10. Restaurants.

Restaurants shall serve water only upon request.

11. Ornamental fountains.

Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited except when non-potable or reclaimed water is used and where signs are posted noting such use.

12. Washing of vehicles.

Washing of vehicles is prohibited except:

a. In commercial carwashes;

b. Commercial vehicles for reasons of public health and safety;

c. Where water has been salvaged from indoor use, e.g. warm-up water from showers, sinks and/or lavatories; or

d. By a mobile high-pressure/low-volume service.

13. New services.

Except for property that already has a building permit, no new, unconditional commitments to provide potable water service shall be provided by issuance of letters or certificates of water availability, new temporary meters or permanent meters, except for the following circumstances:

a. The commitment includes a condition notifying the applicant that, although the agency has available capacity, due to the inadequacy of water supplies, a development moratorium exists and no water service is currently available;

b. For projects necessary to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare;

c. When using reclaimed water;

d. Where the recipient of the meter can demonstrate that no net increase in water use will occur; or

e. Where the recipient of the meter provides a conservation offset.

Times staff writer Bernice Hirabayashi contributed to this story.