Here, Toby Roy from the San Diego County Water Authority provides some important updates that all CUWCC water agencies should know about the State Model Landscape Ordinance DWR recently released for public comment:

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Group 1 CUWCC members should be aware of some of the State regulations and other requirements for water conservation that are being developed at this time.

On February 8, 2008, the Department of Water Resources released a draft State Model Landscape Ordinance for public comment. Comments are due to DWR no later than March 27, 2008. By January 1, 2010, local Cities and Counties will be required to adopt an ordinance that is at least as effective as the state model ordinance.

The ordinance will establish water efficient design standards for new and rehabilitated landscapes. The ordinance also requires local agencies to conduct landscape audits for existing customers with over 2,500 square of of landscaping (i.e. your average homeowner). While the design criteria for new landscapes is a step forward, the audit requirement will be costly and difficult to implement. Cities, counties and water agencies should review this ordinance and provide comments to DWR so that we can have an ordinance that can be reasonably implemented.

To find the draft ordinance go to:
http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/landscape/ord/ord.cfm

Toby Roy

San Diego County Water Authority

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 am and is filed under CUWCC Group 1. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.