Following three critically dry years in California, the State Water Resources Control Board is requiring local water agencies to take emergency action to conserve water in landscaping, fountains, washing vehicles and other outdoor uses.

State regulators met in Sacramento Tuesday and approved the proposed rules for all Californians late in the day. The rules prohibit the watering of landscaping to the point that runoff spills onto sidewalks or streets. Hosing down sidewalks and driveways is also banned, along with washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle. Using drinking water in a fountain or decorative water feature is banned unless the water is recirculated.

The emergency action by the state requires the Amador Water Agency to immediately implement mandatory water restrictions on outdoor irrigation after the rules go into effect, which is expected to be on August 1, 2014.

The state can take action against water agencies that don’t comply with the new regulations. Up to this point, AWA has encouraged voluntary water conservation by customers.

The AWA Board of Directors will consider the issue of mandatory conservation and enforcement at their regular board meeting at 9 am, Thursday, July 24, 2014.

According to the State Water Resources Control Board, extreme drought now covers nearly 80 percent of the state and these conditions will likely continue into the foreseeable future. The state board estimates that its proposed restrictions could save enough water to supply more than 3.5 million people a year.

Posted Thursday, July 17, 2014 8PM