In light of a state board’s water restrictions imposed this week, San Diego city officials say the city already has water-conserving restrictions in place.
Since 2009, San Diego has had similar restrictions and city officials say that the new state regulations don’t call for the city to do anything new.
Still, city officials issued a news release Thursday saying city and state restrictions are “important to help conserve water during this severe drought condition.”
“I want to thank San Diegans, who for years have done a tremendous job of stepping up to the plate to incorporate water conservation into their way of life,” San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in the news release. “This summer, as we see temperatures climb, we must continue to be mindful of the current drought situation by adhering daily to the city’s permanent water use restrictions.”
City officials said they will monitor the state’s drought plan to see if any changes or additions need to be made to the city’s plan. They also plan to focus on educating residents on water conservation rather than enforcing the restrictions through fines.
The State Water Resources Control Board approved the restrictions Tuesday. They prohibit overwatering of lawns and landscaping that causes runoff onto sidewalks or streets, washing sidewalks, driveways and other hard surfaces, using a hose to wash a vehicle unless the hose has a shut-off nozzle and using drinking water in a fountain or decorative water feature unless the water is recirculated.
Violations are infractions punishable by fines of up to $500 a day, and tickets could be written by any public employee empowered to enforce laws.
