Last August, Joshua Basin Water District passed a conservation ordinance in response to the State Water Board’s call for reductions in wasteful water practices such as over-irrigation. Now the state is imposing more stringent measures. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us how one local water agency is coping with the new regulations…
At last night’s meeting of the Joshua Basin Water District, directors approved a staff recommendation that the conservation ordinance be overhauled in response to new statewide emergency water regulations. Under the mandate handed down earlier this month, the District must reduce consumption a staggering 28 percent, or be subject to fines up to $10,000 per day. Under such pressure, Joshua Tree can expect to see a revised ordinance with strict limits on water uses, and significant penalties for both residential and commercial accounts that waste water. In other business, directors learned several district wells are—or will be—out of compliance when and if the state’s new lower threshold for Chromium-6 goes into effect. The condition is not considered a serious threat to public health, but federal guidelines require customers be notified. Also last night, the board voted to delay issuing a will-serve letter for the 248-unit Alta Mira residential development while emergency water regulations are in effect.
JOSHUA BASIN WATER HOLDS ALTA MIRA LETTER DURING DROUGHT ORDERS
