May 2009

U.S. Water News Online

SAN DIEGO — Strict water rationing rules loom for San Diego County because of lingering drought conditions.

Residents will be forced to curb water usage 8 percent, limit landscape irrigation and pay higher rates to encourage conservation.

The San Diego County Water Authority recently moved to a Level 2 drought alert, the first step in mandatory water rationing from San Ysidro to Fallbrook.

Restrictions are expected to limit outdoor watering, ban runoff water, require hotels to offer guests the option of not laundering towels daily and hire “water cops” to patrol for violators. Fines would range from $100 to $2,500.

The region's 24 retail water agencies will enact their conservation strategies in the next several weeks.

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