The revised conservation mandates unveiled by state water regulators Saturday would require most Sac...

1. Most Sacramento communities get even bigger water cuts
under revised mandates
The revised conservation mandates unveiled by state water regulators Saturday would require most
Sacramento-area communities to make even bigger cuts in water use than originally proposed,
disappointing area leaders who argue the state should take into account the region's hot weather
and large lot sizes.
Thirteen of the 23 water agencies in the Sacramento region would be required to cut residential
water use by 36 percent compared with 2013 under a revised proposal issued by the State Water
Resources Control Board on Saturday. That is the most severe cut proposed in the framework,
reserved for agencies with the highest per capita usage in the state.
The water board's revised regulations divvy the state's water agencies among nine tiers, based on
their per capita water use in the summer of 2014. Under this new distribution, all but two
Sacramento-area communities will have to cut usage by at least 28 percent over 2013.
Earlier this month, citing unprecedented drought conditions, Gov. Jerry Brown ordered urban water
agencies across California to cut water use 25 percent on average by next February. The water
board, which regulates water rights in California, issued its framework in response to that order,
requiring deeper cuts in communities that have the highest per capita water use.
California's drought, now in its fourth year, has depleted reservoirs and groundwater supplies in
many parts of the state. Following an unusually dry winter, mountain snowpack in the state
measured just 5 percent of normal April 1, meaning the snowmelt California relies on to replenish its
reservoirs will be in short supply this summer.
Water board officials said proposed cuts would save 1.3 million acre-feet of water over the next nine
months, or about as much as currently sits in Lake Oroville.
"We are in a drought like we have not seen before," water board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus said
during a conference call with reporters Saturday. "All Californians have to step up and prepare as if
it won't rain or snow again next year."
The state action represents the first time in history that California cities have been ordered to meet
targets for reduced water use. Last year, the governor called on urban water agencies to voluntarily
cut use by 20 percent, but the state as a whole met that goal only once in the last eight months, and
most months fell far short.
The draft framework issued Saturday marks the water board's second proposal in its effort to carry
out the governor's order. Its first version, released April 7, prompted a war of words among urban
water agencies that in many ways broke down between north and south, coastal and inland, over
who should be required to make the biggest cuts.
Many Sacramento-area districts argued they should not be held to the same standards as coastal
communities that benefit from higher densities and moderate climates. Many south-state agencies
argued they should get credit for costly conservation efforts that in some cases stretch back more
than a decade.

2. In issuing the revised regulations, water board officials said the new nine-tiered system - mandating
cutbacks ranging from 4 percent to 36 percent - does a better job of taking into account previous
conservation efforts than the original draft, which used only four tiers. But they held fast in not
granting concessions based on lot size and temperature.
During the conference call, Marcus said hotter areas with larger lots are exactly where the state can
achieve the biggest conservation bang for the buck this summer, simply by getting residents and
businesses to reduce exterior watering. Officials made a point, however, of saying residents should
continue to water trees, which provide cooling and air-quality benefits.
"Sacramento has done an extraordinary job in the last year ... focused on outside irrigation," Marcus
said. "I would expect more of the same."
Some local water agency officials expressed dismay at the new targets, saying they felt the region
should have gotten more credit for what residents already have done. The Sacramento region as a
whole last year cut summertime water use by 18 percent compared with summer 2013, and in some
recent months has led the state in cutting consumption.
"Our region's water use reflects the community's unique characteristics, such as landscapes that are
larger than in many other areas of the state and our many hot summer days," said John Woodling,
executive director of the Regional Water Authority, an umbrella group for area water agencies. "As
such, we are being called upon to take on a disproportionately larger share of the targeted 25
percent reduction."
Woodling said Sacramento officials will continue to press the water board "for a more equitable
apportionment of responsibility statewide," but also will begin preparations for a stepped-up
conservation push.
He warned that "hitting such high marks will be challenging and is likely to have significant impacts
- both on customers and the revenues and fiscal stability of water suppliers."
Folsom is among the handful of cities in the region that saw its conservation target drop in the new
proposal, from a 35 percent cut in usage to 32 percent. Folsom Mayor Andy Morin said the new
numbers are good news but that city officials will continue to look at whether they are fair.
"We've already cut back quite a bit," Morin said. "It's a bit of good news, not so draconian. We know
we need to do our part."
Sacramento-area residents on the whole are still among the biggest users of water in urban areas in
the state, data show. Most area districts used more than 165 gallons per person per day in
September 2014, above the statewide average of 124 gallons. San Francisco used 46 gallons per
person per day, Los Angeles used 93 gallons and San Diego used 82 gallons.
Water agencies will have an opportunity during the next week to comment on the new plan. "We
may make more changes, probably will," Marcus said. The board is expected to make its final
decision in early May.
The governor's emergency order mandating the cutbacks ends Feb. 28. At that point, Marcus said,
the state will assess what needs to happen with conservation in the long term.
"The state will know far better than today whether we are going to have another dry or wet year,"

3. she said. "We are going to be considering permanent regulations."
The new conservation tiers range from a 4 percent cutback to 36 percent. No water agency in the
state is in the 4 percent tier, but state officials say some communities, notably along the North
Coast, could apply to be placed into that category if they can show they meet certain standards,
including having an adequate long-term supply of surface water.
Under the revised framework, San Francisco would face an 8 percent cut. Both Los Angeles and San
Diego would be asked to cut usage 16 percent.
The board will start monitoring agencies on a monthly basis in June to see if they are making
progress in meeting their targets. Marcus said the board intends to work closely with agencies that
are struggling, emphasizing community outreach, as well as possible rate changes and local policing
of outdoor watering. Water agencies that fail to comply with a conservation order could face fines of
up to $500 a day.
The State Water Resources Control Board proposed a series of regulations Saturday that mandate
water conservation. The plan:
? Requires urban water agencies statewide to reduce water usage by an average of 25 percent over
2013, with communities that use more water per person targeted for the heftiest cuts.
? Prohibits landscape irrigation that causes runoff onto sidewalks and streets.
? Prohibits landscape irrigation for 48 hours after rainfall.
? Prohibits the use of potable water to wash down sidewalks and driveways.
? Prohibits using a hose to wash cars and trucks unless the hose has a shut-off nozzle.
? Prohibits irrigation outside newly constructed homes and buildings that is not delivered by drip or
micro-spray systems.
? Prohibits irrigation of ornamental landscape on public medians.
? Prohibits restaurants from serving water unless customers ask.
Looking for tips on saving water?
Go to saveourwater.com
The state's revised proposal for mandatory water cutbacks divides urban water agencies into nine
tiers, with the biggest per capita users targeted for the largest cuts. Under both the old and new
proposals, Sacramento-area agencies face some of the largest cuts in the state. The figures show
how much average usage between June 2014 and February 2015 must come down compared with
2013.
Supplier Name
Original

4. New
California-American - Sacramento
20%
20%
Woodland
25%
24%
Davis
25%
28%
City of Sacramento
25%
28%
Roseville
25%
28%
El Dorado Irrigation
35%
28%
Sacramento County
25%
32%
Folsom
35%
32%
Galt

5. 35%
32%
Citrus Heights
35%
32%
Georgetown Divide
35%
36%
Elk Grove Water Service*
35%
36%
Lincoln
35%
36%
Sacramento Suburban
35%
36%
Carmichael
35%
36%
Rio Linda - Elverta
35%
36%
Placer County
35%
36%

6. West Sacramento
35%
36%
Fruitridge Vista
35%
36%
Fair Oaks
35%
36%
Golden State
35%
36%
Orange Vale
35%
36%
San Juan
35%
36%
Note: Elk Grove Water Service has submitted new figures to the state that may not be reflected in
these numbers.
Source: State Water Resources Control Board
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article18854379.html