Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Water Supply and Drought Response: Getting Serious about Water Use Westhills HOA June 17, 2015

Las Virgenes Municipal Water Districtwww.LVMWD.com

Water Supply and Drought Response: Getting Serious about Water Use

Westhills HOA

June 17, 2015


Sources of California’s Water

2/3 of the state’s water falls in the north

2/3 of the state’s population lives in the south


Statewide Drought

• Fourth consecutive year of drought.

• Record low snowpack on heels of hottest (2014) and driest (2013) years on record.

• Upstate reservoirs well below average levels.

• Groundwater basins in agricultural areas are being overdrawn.

• Urban, agricultural and environmental uses all impacted.

US Drought MonitorJune 9, 2015


Record Low Snowpack


Governor and State Actions• January 17, 2014 –State of Emergency

• April 25, 2014 – Continued State of Emergency

• July 15, 2014 – Initial emergency drought regulations

• March 17, 2015 – Updated and renewed emergency drought regulations

• April 1, 2015 – Executive Order calling for mandatory 25% water usage reductions

• May18, 2015 – Emergency regulations became effective


Regional and Local Actions• February 11, 2014 – MWD issued Water

Supply Alert

• February 25, 2014 – District adopted Resolution calling for 20% voluntary reduction

• August 12, 2014 – District declared a Stage 3 Water Supply Shortage Emergency (20% reduction)

• April 14, 2015 – MWD Board approved Level 3 Regional Shortage (15%)

• April 28, 2015 – District Board adopted additional water use restrictions


SWRCB Emergency Regulations• 25% mandatory reduction in potable water usage as

compared to 2013.– June 1, 2015 through February 28, 2016

– Higher reductions for higher R-GPCD (36% for District)

– Compliance orders and fines

• No potable water irrigation of turf on center medians.

• Newly constructed homes must irrigate at a lower ET rate or use drip or microspray irrigation applicators.


What Does it all Mean for us?

• Reduce potable outdoor water use by 50%.– 2 days/week watering .– Mon. and Fri. for even-

numbered addresses.– Tues. and Sat. for odd-numbered

addresses.• Recycled water to remain at

current 3 days/week.


Take “Control” of your Irrigation Controller

Steps:1. Find the controller.2. Check watering days and

minutes per station.3. Multiply to get the total

minutes per week per station.4. Divide the total by 2.5. Only water on designated days.


Mandatory Measures in Effect• No irrigation between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• Irrigation may not occur during or 48 hrs. after rain events.

• Irrigation may not result in excess runoff.

• Washing down of sidewalks and driveways is prohibited.

• Trigger nozzle is required on hoses used for home car washing.

• Hotels/motels must give multi-night guests the option not to have towels and linens replaced daily.

• Restaurants may only serve water upon request.


Enforcement

• Warning Letter

• Fine structure escalating to $500

• District may install flow restriction device or terminate service


Community Outreach• Customer Newsletter• Ads in local papers• Cable TV• Radio & TV Ads• LVMWD Website• Outreach to HOAs• Social Media • City Council Updates


Conservation Rebates• “Mow No Mow” Lawn Replacement Program

($2.00/sq. ft. up to 3,000 square feet)• High Efficiency Toilet ($100)• High Efficiency Clothes Washer ($85)• Weather-Based Irrigation Controller ($80)• Rain Barrel ($75)• Soil Moisture Sensor System ($80)



Coming in 2016: Water Budgets

“Right-Sizing” Water Use for Each LVMWD Residential Customer


Everyone Can Help

Anonymous Reporting

Send a photo or e-mail from your smartphone to:

[email protected]

or

Call LVMWD (818) 251-2200

Documents

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Water Supply and Drought Response: Getting Serious about Water Use Westhills HOA June 17, 2015