In California, about half of the urban water is used for landscape irrigation. To improve water savings in this sector, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is updating the Model Ordinance. The Model Ordinance promotes efficient landscapes in new developments and retrofitted landscapes.
Governor Brown’s Executive Order B-29-15 calls for revising the Model Ordinance to increase water efficiency standards for new and retrofitted landscapes through more efficient irrigation systems, greywater usage, onsite storm water capture, and by limiting the portion of landscapes that can be covered in turf. It also requires reporting on the implementation and enforcement of local ordinances with required reports due by December 31, 2015.
DWR will release a public draft of the Model Ordinance on June 12. The Model Ordinance and related information can be accessed here. The public comment period ends on June 26.
Two public meeting will be held as follows:
Northern California – June 19, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., State Resources Building Auditorium, 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Southern California – June 16, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Metropolitan Water District, 700 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
The California Water Commission will conduct a hearing on the Model Ordinance on July 15 to consider adoption of the Model Ordinance. Written comments can be submitted to:
California Department of Water Resources
Urban Water Use Efficiency Unit
ATTN: Julie Saare-Edmonds, Senior Environmental Scientist
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001