All current Stage 2 restrictions will remain in effect with the exception that there will be one additional outdoor watering day allowed during the hot summer months. The regulation applies to Long Beach residents and businesses, and it permits outside watering on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through Sept. 30.
The Board’s resolution came after the May 19 State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) decision to extend and modify the emergency urban-water conservation mandate to allow water suppliers to determine conservation directives on local levels effective June 1 through February 2017. SWRCB’s mandate came in response to improved reservoir conditions in northern parts of the state, even though California is still under Gov. Brown’s drought emergency condition and Long Beach remains in an “exceptional drought” state per the U.S. Drought Monitor, according to Long Beach Water.
“We want to thank our residents and businesses for their tremendous work conserving over the past year and remind them that responsible, efficient water use is still expected and required,” said Frank Martinez, president of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. “Sustainability and water use efficiency are hallmarks of the Long Beach lifestyle.”
Chris Garner, general manager of Long Beach Water, said that while residents will receive some relief from the more stringent water-use restrictions, city officials are still calling for continued and diligent water-use efficiency.
“Wasteful water practices are now prohibited permanently by the State,” Garner said. “We support Gov. Brown and the State Water Resources Control Board’s recognition of locally appropriate actions and mandates, along with their strong and continued emphasis on using water wisely and continued conservation throughout our state.”
Though the summertime regulation is already in place in Long Beach, Signal Hill residents will have to wait a few weeks to find out if their approved watering days will change.
That city’s public works director, Steve Myrter, said staff will give an overview of the recently revised State-mandated water conservation requirements during the June 28 Signal Hill City Council meeting.
“At this meeting, it will be noted that some water purveyors within the greater Los Angeles area— including Long Beach— have elected to rescind their Level 2 supply alert in favor of declaring a Level 1 supply alert based on recent State changes,” Myrter said. “As such, upon consideration of data provided, staff will be seeking city council direction in regard to the possibility of rescinding Signal Hill’s current Level 2 supply alert and declaring a Level 1 supply alert. The declaration of a Level 1 supply alert would allow watering turf on the same three days a week as Long Beach.”
The City of Signal Hill offers numerous resources on its website (cityofsignalhill.org) for addressing the drought, under the tab “Water Conservation,” including a parkway landscaping guide and conservation rebate information.
Signal Hill’s water-conservation ordinance includes permanent water-use restrictions, as well as progressive restrictions activated based on anticipated water supply shortages.
Permanent restrictions in Signal Hill include the following: watering or irrigating any lawn or landscape with potable water is prohibited between 9am and 4pm, except under certain conditions; watering or irrigating any lawn or landscape with potable water using a landscape irrigation system (unattended) is limited to 10 minutes per day per station; watering or irrigating any lawn or landscape in a manner that results in excessive water flow or runoff is prohibited; washing down hard or paved surfaces is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only allowed to be performed by utilizing certain measures; operating a water fountain or water feature without water re-circulation is prohibited; and using water to wash or clean a vehicle is prohibited except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device.
Signal Hill’s current Level 2 water-supply shortage resolution, effective May 19, 2015, includes the following additional restrictions: watering or irrigating is allowed Tuesdays and Saturdays only; excessive use, loss or escape of water through leaks, breaks or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing must be repaired within 48 hours after receiving notice from the City; initial filling or refilling of more than one foot of residential swimming pools or outdoor spas with potable water is prohibited; and filling or refilling ornamental ponds is prohibited except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life that has been actively managed prior to the declaration of a supply shortage under the ordinance.
Long Beach’s water restrictions in effect include the following: residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape during summer months on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until Sept. 30; two-day-per-week landscape irrigation (Tuesdays and Saturdays) will begin on Oct. 1; residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape 10 minutes per station per watering day, or 20 minutes if using water-efficient rotating nozzles; residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape before 9am or after 4pm; residents and businesses cannot irrigate the landscape nor any other use of water beyond saturation, causing unreasonable runoff; residents with pools and spas must use a cover to prevent evaporation; residents and businesses cannot hose down hardscape with a hose, unless using a pressurized cleaning device; residents and businesses cannot irrigate landscape during measurable rainfall nor anytime within 48 hours afterwards; residents cannot wash a vehicle with a hose unless it has a water shut-off nozzle or device attached to the hose; residents and businesses cannot allow the wasting of water due to breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the plumbing or distribution system; restaurants cannot serve water to customers without the customer requesting it; and hotels and motels must post signs to notify patrons they can choose not to have linens and towels washed daily.
At lbwater.org/mission, Long Beach Water lets residents calculate their water usage to see if they are meeting the Long Beach target, take the pledge to save water and listen to song playlists by two local bands as a reminder to take a one-song shower.
Residents can also apply for the $2.50-per-square-foot Lawn-to-Garden incentive to remove lawns in their front yards and replace them with drought-tolerant plants. More information on that program is available at lblawntogarden.com .
