Urban Water Use Declined 27 Percent Countywide During Summer Months
Over the first three months of state-mandated savings, the San Diego region reduced urban potable water use by 27 percent compared to the same period in 2013, beating the regional aggregate target of 20 percent. Conserved water in San Diego County is being stored locally for future use, a valuable asset should drought conditions continue into 2016 or beyond.
Urban potable water use in San Diego County fell by approximately 24 percent in August 2015 compared to August 2013. That follows a decrease of 32 percent in July and 26 percent in June compared to the same months in 2013.August was the third month in which the State Water Resources Control Board required compliance with conservation targets set for each local water agency. State-mandated targets for Water Authority member agencies are between 12 and 36 percent below 2013 levels, and are in effect through February 2016.
For information about water-use rules by community, along with details about drought conditions and conservation-related resources, go to www.whenindrought.org.
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Governor Signs Water Authority Sponsored Bill Preventing HOAs from Banning Artificial Turf
Bill carried by Assemblymember Gonzalez will immediately enhance water conservation
efforts statewide
Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 4 signed legislation sponsored by the Water Authority that prohibits common interest developments (typically governed by homeowner associations, or HOAs) from banning artificial turf. Assembly Bill 349, carried by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego, takes effect immediately and will enhance outdoor water conservation opportunities statewide.The new law is important because irrigation accounts for more than half of a typical home's water use in California, and more than a quarter of the state's housing stock is in common interest developments. Earlier legislation supported by the Water Authority prevented common interest developments from prohibiting low water-use plants as a group or as replacement for turf grass. In addition, Water Authority-supported legislation prevents HOAs -- except those that use recycled water for landscape irrigation -- from imposing a fine or assessment on members for reducing or eliminating landscape irrigation when the governor or local government officials have declared an emergency due to drought.
For information about water-use rules by community, along with details about drought conditions and conservation-related resources, go to www.whenindrought.org.
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Water Authority Saves $15.1 Million with Bond Refunding
Reducing cost of debt will benefit ratepayers starting in 2017 rate calculations
The Water Authority on Sept. 9 priced a bond sale that will reduce the cost of financing vital water supply reliability projects over the next two decades.
When completed, the sale of Senior Lien Water Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2015A will refund $195 million in long-term, fixed-rate bonds issued in 2008 and 2010. Refinancing will save the Water Authority $15.1 million through 2029 on a net present-value basis.
The sale generated more than $1 billion in demand by a diverse array of investors, allowing the Water Authority to lower yields in each maturity versus the initial launch of the pricing. Despite recent market volatility, investors cited confidence in the Water Authority's strong credit, management team, and its history of successful planning and project execution to provide water supply reliability.
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