In May of 2018, SB 606 and AB 1668 were signed into law to make Water Conservation a California Way of Life. These two bills make California more resilient to the impacts of future droughts by emphasizing efficiency and stretching existing water supplies in our cities and farms. There are key facts to take away from these laws and how they impact you:
- Water agencies need to implement efficiency standards for indoor use, outdoor use, water lost to leaks, and appropriate variances.
- Water agencies are required to calculate a water efficiency standard for their entire service area annually based on indoor residential water use; outdoor water use; and commercial, industrial and institutional irrigation.
- The standard of 55 gallons per person per day for indoor residential water use is one of several elements used to calculate the overall efficiency standard for a service area.
- There is no law against showering and doing laundry on the same day. Water efficiency targets will be set for an entire service area and are scheduled to go into effect in 2023.
- Individuals will not be responsible for State Water Resources Control Board fines. Instead, the State Water Board can fine water agencies up to $10,000 per day if the agency does not meet its cumulative standard.
Remember, any small changes you make now will make a great impact for the future!
#BeWaterWise
