This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 15, 2009.
San Diegans may not have to allocate their water this summer. Or at the least, not be forced to take the “one bucket approach.”
After Tuesday’s Metropolitan Water District announcement on water reductions, the city will re-determine how San Diegans have to cut back their water usage. Possible water-saving strategies, differing from the initial announcements of water allocations, were discussed during a Natural Resources and Culture Committee meeting on Wednesday evening.
“This meeting has sort of change course a little bit,” Councilmember Donna Frye said. “This is a multifaceted process we’re going through right now.”
Frye added that several behavioral modifications were being considered. The behavioral tactics were proposed by the city’s water department, which presented a series of public water meetings in Feburary when it initially believed the city would have to reduce water usage by 20 percent. On Tuesday, MWD announced reductions would be 13 percent.
“That reduction is less than what we anticipated for, which is a good thing,” assistant water department director Alex Ruiz said. “It’s a lot lower than 20 percent.”
Chaired by Councilmembers Sherri Lightner, Donna Frye and Carl DeMaio (who was not present), the committee viewed a presentation by the water department of how modifications, if not allocations, would work. If a Level 2 “Drought Alert,” a stage which would allow the city to impose mandatory restrictions, is determined, the city will implement numerous behavioral changes.
Those changes include: no more than three days of landscape irrigation per week (those with odd number addresses will be able to water their landscape on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday while those with even number address will water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday); the watering is limited to no more than 10 minutes per assigned day; and all leaks must be fixed within 72 hours of discovery or notification of the city.
The committee also listened to various locals who supported habit changes in the city.
“UCAN supports mandatory implementations of Level 2,” Jeff Smith of Utility Consumers’ Action Network said. “We need to do it year-around though. We have a drought condition all the time. We shouldn’t have to ramp up and ramp back down.”
In addition to the Level 2 response, the water department will hire an additional 10 employees to “enforce mandatory restrictions,” including three code enforcement officers.
The San Diego Water County Authority will make a final decision on water reductions for its 24 member retail water agencies and cities on April 23. After that decision, a water proposal will be brought forth to the city council for a vote. However, if water shortages worsen, allocations may be the route to take. Either proposal will be implemented on June 1.
Hoa Quach is the political editor for San Diego News Network.