• “The fact of the matter is we do live in a desert and we do have a real need to emphasize the conservation measures here in the city of San Diego,” Frye said.

    YES! When you are importing 80% of your water from external water sources such as the Colorado River, and Northern California such as is the case with San Diego, conservation is a permanent must! Thanks to Barbara Landrith of CLCA for bringing this article to our attention.

    Emergency water restrictions could become permanent

    A City Council committee held off Wednesday on advancing a proposal that would make permanent emergency water use restrictions in San Diego, pending a second hearing and outreach to stakeholders.

    Amid reduced water deliveries to the region following years of drought in California, the City Council voted last year to declare a “Level 2” drought alert in San Diego.

    The declaration led to mandatory limits on residential lawn watering, landscape irrigation, car washes, ornamental fountains, construction-site watering and other water uses.

    Councilwoman Donna Frye, who chairs the Natural Resources and Culture Committee, wants to make the declaration permanent as a strategy to preserve water supplies in the region long-term.

    “The fact of the matter is we do live in a desert and we do have a real need to emphasize the conservation measures here in the city of San Diego,” Frye said.

    Water use is down about 12 percent citywide since San Diego imposed the water use restrictions.

    While acknowledging San Diego’s need to conserve water, Councilman Carl DeMaio said he wants more discussion on the impacts to schools, construction companies, car washes and other stakeholders before he agrees to advance the proposal to make the restrictions permanent to the full City Council.

    Councilwoman Sherri Lightner had similar reservations. She was particularly concerned about the impact on school playing fields, many of which have turned brown or died off since the drought declaration.

    “I’m not sure I am ready to make this permanent at this time,” she said.

    Councilwoman Marti Emerald said residents need to understand that the water shortage conditions the city is experiencing now are the “new normal.” She argued that making the water use restrictions permanent is a “very important move because it acknowledges our water situation.”

    Alex Ruiz, the city’s interim director of public utilities, testified that making the water use restrictions permanent would undermine what the public was told when the “Level 2” drought declaration was made last year.

    “That’s a very different message then telling them that we believe you ought to use water more efficiently year-round on a permanent basis, regardless of whether or not the supply situation worsens or increases,” he said.

    Committee members voted to bring the proposal back in a month after there has been more outreach to stakeholders. The committee will then decide whether to forward it to the full City Council for consideration.

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