Water Use Efficiency

Water Conservation & Supply Shortage Program
Ordinance 374, establishing a Water Conservation & Supply Shortage Program was adopted by the Board of Directors May 6. The Board adopted Stage 2 on July 1 with the following program guidelines.

Ordinance 377

FAQ

Resolution 2627

Diminished imported water supply
In February 2009, the Governor declared a state of emergency caused by persistent drought conditions. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California recently announced it will cut 2009 member agency water supply allocations by 10 percent, effective July 1. Western relies upon Metropolitan for the majority of its imported water supply and is requesting that all customers increase water use efficiency, particularly outdoors.

What do I need to do? Focus on using water efficiently
Western’s Water Conservation and Supply Shortage Program will help the District address changing water supply conditions and reliably meet customer demands during water shortages caused by droughts, supply reductions and emergency conditions. The Program provides a complete set of “tools” or strategies to ensure water is beneficially used. Board adoption of the Program on May 6, 2009, immediately activated the program and enacted Stage 1 measures. On July 1, 2009, Western’s board adopted Stage 2, calling for additional water management actions to reduce District water use up to 10 percent.

Water Efficient Partner Sites

• Murrieta Unified School District - Murrieta Elementary School
• Riverside Unified School District - Franklin ES, Taft ES, Kennedy ES, Woodcrest ES, Lake Mathews ES, Mark Twain ES, Frank Augustus Miller ES, ML King HS
• City of Riverside Park & Recreation Parks - Bergamont, Thunder Sky, Taft, Orange Terrace, Castleview
• March JPA - Business site

Complete list of guidelines.

Por favor oprima aquí para información del Programa en Español
Directriz del Programa
Preguntas Frecuentes

STAGE 1: Baseline Efficiency Actions & Reduction Measures

• Landscape watering is prohibited on all days of the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Eliminate run-off and over-spray.
• Equip open hoses with automatic, positive shut-off nozzles.
• All leaks, improperly adjusted sprinklers or other water conduits/fixtures that require repair shall be corrected within 96-hours of District notification.
• No washing down sidewalks, driveways, patios or other paved or hard surface areas.
• Make sure automatic irrigation timers are adjusted according to changing weather patterns and landscaperequirements.
• Construction operations receiving potable water from a construction meter for water trucks shall not use water for any purpose other than those required by regulatory agencies.

STAGE 2: Minimal Water Shortage

All Stage 1 efficiency measures remain in effect throughout Stage 2.
Additional Efficiency Actions & Reduction Measures

• All leaks, improperly adjusted sprinklers or other water conduits/fixtures that require repair shall be corrected within 72-hours of District notification.
• Properties with odd number street addresses, parks, and public right-of-ways can irrigate landscaping only on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Properties with even number street addresses can irrigate landscaping only on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Limit pop-up spray-type sprinklers to a maximum of 15-minutes total run time/valve on days of irrigation.
• Limit impact, rotor and rotary-nozzle sprinklers to a maximum of 30-minutes total run time/valve on days of irrigation.
• Irrigation controllers that are certified by the Irrigation Association as Smart Water Application Technology (either climate-based or sensor-based) and are registered with Western are exempt from run-time and irrigation day requirements during Stages 2 through 4, but not time of day requirements. Exemption form.

Making our region water independent
Western has several projects in the works that will diversify our local water supply. A cooperative water wheeling agreement recently signed by Western and the city of Riverside will provide up to 6,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year. The Riverside-Corona Feeder is Western’s hallmark regional water supply project that will provide up to
40,000 acre-feet of water stored in underground basins during wet years for use in dry years. Federal legislation authorizing $26 million for this project was signed by President Obama in March.

The planned Arlington Desalter expansion will increase treatment capacity to produce up to 7,500 acre-feet of drinking water per year (AF/Y). A partnership with the city of Ontario and Jurupa Community Services District to expand the Chino II Desalter will increase regional drinking water supply by 10,600 AF/Y. The Western Water Recycling Facility will increase recycled water treatment capacity to 3 million gallons per day by summer 2010. Further, Western is pursuing water rights initiatives to secure additional future water supply from regional sources as part of the Seven Oaks Dam project to provide backup water supply by capturing storm water.

Long-term District priority
Restore water reliability from the Bay Delta by supporting the construction of a peripheral canal. This action will result in
the greatest amount of quality water being delivered to the greatest number of people, farms and industries. We continue working with legislators to convey the importance of protecting your property taxes from state budget impacts. Western encourages customers to contact your legislators and demand that property taxes you already pay remain local. This revenue helps build projects critical to solving our water shortage crisis. These projects also provide jobs to local construction and supply companies. At Western, our goal is to maximize efficient water use now - to minimize the effects of a water supply shortage to the greatest degree possible.

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WUEMP

The Integrated Regional Water Management Plan was prepared in a manner to facilitate development of a Water Use Efficiency Master Plan. The completion and adoption of both the IRWMP and Water Use Efficiency Master Plan will make Western more competitive when applying for a broad range of grant funds.

2008 Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)

IRWMP Appendex A - Water Use Efficiency Master Plan
IRWMP Appendix B - Project Forms

IRWMP Appendix C - Public Outreach

2008 Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) - low resolution version

IRWMP Appendix A - Water Use Efficiency Master Plan - low resolution version

IRWMP Appendix B - Project Forms - low resolution version

IRWMP Appendix C - Public Outreach - low resolution version

Based on public outreach to stakeholders, the 2008 IRWMP recommends both regional and local projects for implementation. Recommended regional projects include the Riverside-Corona Feeder, Chino II Desalter Expansion, and the Riverside/Arlington Groundwater Basin Model. Recommended local projects include the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wildomar Recycled Water Project, Jurupa Community Service District Indian Hills Recycled Water Project, and Western System Interconnection with the City of Corona. The 2008 Integrated Regional Water Management Plan update and the included Water Use Efficiency Master Plan were adopted unanimously by Western’s Board of Directors at a public hearing held on December 17, 2008. For specific information, contact Western’s Director of Water Resources, Jack Safely, at jsafely@wmwd.com or Western’s Water Use Efficiency Manager, Tim Barr, at tbarr@wmwd.com.

Drought Allocation Plan
Drought Allocation Plan Western's Board of Directors approved the District's Drought Allocation Plan at its Sept. 3 board meeting and public hearing, Ordinance 371.