New State Water-Use Regulation Offers Regional Benefits from Seawater Desalination
Water Authority seeks to certify Carlsbad desalination plant as a drought-resilient supply
The Water Authority is working with state regulators to certify the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant as a drought-resilient local supply source that will reduce state-mandated water-use targets across the region.
Changes to the state's emergency drought response regulation adopted on Feb. 2 by the State Water Resources Control Board provide a mechanism for the San Diego region to receive drought-resiliency benefits from the plant, which started commercial production in December 2015. With that facility now online, the Water Authority expects that state-mandated water-use targets for local water agencies will be aligned more closely with local water supply investments.
The State Board revised its unprecedented water-use regulation that took effect in June 2015 and extended the new rule through October 2016. It affords local water agencies that have developed drought-sustainable supplies since 2013 a supply credit of up to 8 percentage points toward the state-mandated water-use targets. The Carlsbad desalination plant provides the region with up to 56,000 acre-feet of drought-proof water each year, reducing the region's reliance on other water sources.
|
Low Water-Use Plants Discounted at Spring Plant Fairs
As the days get longer, the Water Authority and 11 member agencies are once again partnering with several local The Home Depot stores to offer discounts on water-efficient plants ideal for springtime planting. The San Diego County Garden Friendly Plant Fairs run from Feb. 20 to May 21 at 13 locations of The Home Depot from Chula Vista to Oceanside.
The plant fairs feature discounted containers of water-wise plants such as lavender, bougainvillea, geranium and rosemary. Industry experts will be on site to provide information about water-efficient irrigation supplies and how to select and grow low-water-use plants. Certified nursery consultants from The Home Depot will host how-to workshops, and local retail water agency staff will be available to provide information about water conservation programs and services.
Water Authority member agencies sponsoring the spring plant fairs are Carlsbad Municipal Water District, City of Escondido, City of Oceanside, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, City of Poway, City of San Diego, San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District and Valley Center Municipal Water District.
For details about plant fairs, landscape classes and other water conservation resources, go to WaterSmartSD.org.
|
