California May Ease Urban Water-Use Rules as Residents Still Urged to Conserve

Even in wet years — like the last two, which saw disastrous flooding in many parts of the state — Californians need to use less water.

That’s the message the State Water Resources Control Board conveyed to the public during a workshop as the agency considers new rules for water conservation in urban areas.

By promoting water conservation as “a California way of life,” the board’s goal is that the looming regulations will save enough water for about half a million households annually. Californians spoke out Tuesday over the state’s plan to rein in urban water use that is ultimately less drastic than a previous version of the regulations.

Catch up fast: The agency unveiled new rules last summer but backtracked by presenting a new version in March after intense criticism from water providers. The Legislative Analysts’ Office said the rules were too complex, costly and difficult to achieve and they wouldn’t allow much “wiggle room” in complying. The new rules aren’t about managing water use for individual households. Instead, the board is leaning toward water budgets for more than 400 cities and water agencies across California. The deepest cuts are in towns in the Central Valley that, in some cases, will need to decrease water use by half by 2040. Most Bay Area water agencies will likely have to reduce water use by less than 10% by 2040.

The big picture: Human-caused climate change is deepening weather whiplash, which is swings between dry and hot weather, deluges and flooding. This only increases the need for water conservation year-round. Water supplies are vulnerable because of increasingly hotter and drier periods, causing a reduced snowpack and drier soils. The proposed regulation seeks to cultivate long-term practices that prevent emergency water reductions during major drought times. The idea is to save enough water, so a lack of water won’t be as significant even in a drought.

Driving the story: The new rules are required because former Gov. Jerry Brown signed two laws in 2018 after California went through a five-year drought. The rules would also help realize water savings outlined in the state’s water supply strategy.

What you need to know: Beginning in 2027, big cities and water districts will likely be required to develop a water-use budget yearly. The rules also would give water suppliers an additional five years to curb outdoor water use and extend meeting total reductions to 2040. Failure to do so could result in fines for failing to meet conservation targets.

The opposing view: Some environmentalists aren’t happy about the revisions. By giving water providers less stringent standards and more time to comply, they argue Californians will continue to waste water and won’t save enough for dry times. Opponents also believe the regulations would result in higher water rates for low-income people.

What’s next: The State Water Resources Control Board is taking public comment through March 27 and will likely vote on the regulations in July.

The bottom line: California water leaders want Californians to save more water, even in wet years, but want to ease water-saving requirements for urban water suppliers. The rules would also give water providers an extra five years to reduce outdoor irrigation.