Lake Elsinore Water Restrictions Being Relaxed: EVMWD Board Votes to Ease Current Rules

LAKE ELSINORE, CA – A steady series of storms this winter boosted California’s water supply enough that Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is able to relax limits on water use.

EVMWD’s Board of Directors voted March 9 to move from Stage 3a of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan to the less restrictive Stage 2. The Stage 2 Water Supply Alert calls for mandatory water savings of 6 to 10 percent and takes effect immediately.

“This winter’s rain and snowfall have been enough to alleviate the most severe drought impacts in most of the state, including Elsinore Valley,” said Harvey Ryan, EVMWD’s board president. “That precipitation and the combined water-saving efforts of our customers have put us in a solid position for the coming months, but we still need to be efficient in all our water use.”

Despite the increased supplies, the State Water Resources Control Board voted Feb. 8 to continue emergency drought restrictions on water use through May, a move opposed by EVMWD and other water suppliers in the region. Imposing mandatory cutbacks when supply conditions are so improved is not fair to customers, who have done a great job meeting conservation mandates.

“EVMWD has taken measures to ensure we have supplies for prolonged drought conditions. The emergency has passed and now it’s time to give our ratepayers some relief,” General Manager John Vega said.

Those efforts include $10 million in projects to expand the local water supply, paid for from reserve funds and with no cost to customers. This work, which includes construction of new wells, will decrease EVMWD’s reliance on costly imported water. The District also supplies recycled water for irrigation to save potable supplies.

By moving to Stage 2, the drought penalties on water budget blocks 3 and 4 are eliminated; this follows removal of drought surcharges from the bills last fall. Under Stage 2, customers will be able to irrigate outdoors four days a week. In addition, pool and spa covers are required and new landscapes are allowed only if drip irrigation is used. Restrictions on water waste that were enacted last year remain in place.

Water Use Prohibitions:

• Washing down sidewalks or driveways

• Watering during or within 48 hours after a rain event

• Irrigation runoff

• Using fountains or water features without recirculating pumps

• Watering on windy days

• Providing water at restaurants unless requested

• Not giving hotel and motel guests the option to decline daily linen changes

Guidelines for outdoor water use:

• Use sprinkler irrigation systems between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• Watering by hand, with drip irrigation or reclaimed water, is OK during daylight hours

• Adjust sprinklers to avoid overspray, runoff and waste

• Fix leaks or broken irrigation equipment to reduce waste

Fines for violations of the water use prohibitions have been reduced and include a warning of non compliance for the first and second offense. For the third and subsequent violations, a monetary fine of $100 per violation will be assessed.

EVMWD will continue to provide tools and rebates to help customers stay within their water budgets. More information is available at www.evmwd.com/conservation.

EVMWD provides service to more than 142,000 water and wastewater customers in a 96-square mile service area in Western Riverside County. The District is a sub-agency of the Western Municipal Water District and a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Visit the EVMWD website at www.evmwd.com for additional information.

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District / IMAGE via Shutterstock