I’ve had a few members ask me about the Stage IV water restrictions, specifically in reference to gardening. In reviewing the restrictions, I noticed that use for gardening was not specifically called out. I called the district to clarify, and the response I received was that because gardening is considered a “Beneficial Use” of water that it was allowed under the Stage IV drought restrictions. This applies to the gardening of food. Not flowers or other ornamental landscaping. It also applies to fruit bearing trees.
Stage IV continues to restrict all other outdoor uses. I’ve included the stage summary for your review here. We continue to run above our restricted permit for the year although I believe we are going to get credit for the leak we had in January and early February. Until we are either able to increase the permit amount or our year-to-date average falls below that level we will stay at Stage IV. It is someone moot right now because the entire district is at Stage IV and we follow the District’s lead on that matter.
I think it is also good to remind everyone that rainwater, reclaimed water and water trucked in is not restricted by drought stages.
If Mark (our PGMS operator) observes any activity that violates the Stage IV restrictions, you will receive a friendly reminder flyer from the board. Repeated violations may result in limiting the flow rate of your meter. Knowing how conscientious our members are I doubt it would ever come to that.
As always, we appreciate the community’s assistance in this matter.
Here is the language of Stage IV restrictions for your reference:
