Statewide drought losses
17,100: Total jobs
$810 million: Crop revenue
$454 million: Additional water pumping costs
$203 million: Livestock and dairy revenue
$1.5 billion: Direct losses
$2.2 billion: Total economic cost
Watch the watering
Because of new rules passed Tuesday, California residents, businesses and public entities face daily fines up to $500. The infractions include:
• Washing driveways and sidewalks
• Watering ornamental landscaping or turf with potable water that causes runoff
• Using a hose to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is outfitted with a nozzle
• Using potable water in a fountain, unless the water is recirculated
On the same day that state water regulators approved daily fines up to $500 for wasting water, scientists released a report saying the drought will put a $2.2 billion crack in California’s economy.
The economic loss amounts to 17,100 jobs statewide.
But while the state suffers billions in losses, and while thousands of part-time and seasonal farmworkers face unemployment, water wasters in Southern California now face a different issue: penalties for wasting water.
Residences, businesses and public entities must abide by the restrictions, which target those who waste water on landscaping, fountains, washing vehicles and other outdoor uses.
The new regulations were approved unanimously by the State Water Resources Control Board late Tuesday afternoon after a full day of testimony and debate.
Local agencies are expected to handle enforcement, though details of how that will work are undetermined. Local authorities will likely have to figure that out on their own.
At Eastern Municipal Water District, which covers residential areas from Moreno Valley to Temecula, spokesman Kevin Pearson said he didn’t think the implementation of the state restrictions would have much impact.
“There’s actually not many differences as to what we currently have in place,” Pearson said. “We already have policies about runoff, washing your car, watering your driveway and fountains.”
The district has policies that allow for fining customers who violate those guidelines, but Pearson said it largely relies on increased use costs as an incentive to conserve.
The water board plans to discuss the state regulations at its meeting today. Pearson said there is a chance the board will decide to move from the current level 2 drought restrictions to level 3 on its five-level plan.
“If we did move up, it would likely be incremental,” Pearson said, noting that there is actually a 3A, 3B and 3C designation. 3A eliminates variances for such things as filling swimming pools or irrigating new landscaping.
The restrictions come on the heels of Gov. Jerry Brown’s failed attempt to persuade people to voluntarily reduce water usage. Brown asked Californians to use 20 percent less water. The Water Resources Board said Tuesday that consumption went up by 1 percent in May versus the average of the three previous years.
The emergency regulations will take effect Aug. 1 and last a maximum of 270 days, though they could be extended. Local water agencies must also implement their water shortage contingency plans to limit the number of days people can water, or adopt state limitations of two days per week if they don’t have a plan that complies.
Agencies also must collect data of per-gallon, per-person, per-day residential water use that they must submit to the Water Board monthly, beginning in October.