Level 2 water restrictions are now in effect
CITY OF SEAL BEACH
The State of California has declared a Level 2 water supply shortage in answer to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent proclamation of a Drought Emergency. All 58 California counties are now experiencing severe drought conditions.
As drought conditions worsen, it is more important than ever to make sure that every drop of water counts, according to an educational outreach started last week by the City of Seal Beach.
The City of Seal Beach has amended its Water Shortage Contingency Plan to align it with California’s six standard levels of water shortage responses. According to a staff report prepared by Iris Lee, acting director of Public Works, a Level 2 water shortage would have the city notify its water customers that water use needs to be cut by 11-20%.
Level 2 restricts irrigation on non-residential turf areas; however, there are also exemptions for sports fields, grassy areas where people gather, and for watering to keep trees healthy. It should be noted that common areas that are not specifically maintained by individual residents are generally considered non-residential.
Level 2 Water Restrictions Now in Effect
To meet the requirements of the Governor’s Executive Order, Seal Beach has limited watering schedules to Tuesday, Thursday and
WATER, page 9
New regulations prohibit excessive water flow or runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, streets and gutters when watering lawns, landscaping and vegetated areas. Saturday, effective immediately.
The following water use restrictions shall apply at all times:
• The watering of lawns, landscaping and all other vegetated areas is prohibited between 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and is limited to no more than 15 minutes per station per day. Drip irrigation and hand watering are exempt.
• Do not water lawns and landscaping while it’s raining or for 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
• Do not allow excessive water flow or runoff onto your sidewalk, driveway, street, alley or gutter when watering lawns, landscaping and vegetated areas.
• Plumbing system leaks must be immediately fixed.
• Do not hose or wash down hard or paved surfaces such as sidewalks, gutters, driveways, patios, pool decks, parking areas, tennis courts and alleys, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards.
• Wash vehicles with a bucket and/or hose with a positive shut off hose nozzle. This includes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, boats, or trailers. The LW car wash at Clubhouse 2 uses recycled water and commercial car washes are exempt from this regulation.
• Filling or refilling swimming pools, spas and ponds are only to be performed on designated watering days.
• All decorative fountains and water features should be turned off.
• Restaurants can serve water only upon request.
• Agrgicultural users and commercial nurseries must curtail all non-essential water use.
• Commercial, industrial and institutional properties are prohibited from irrigating non-functional turf, such as decorative grass, except as it may be required to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf planting.
January through March typically is when most of California’s annual rain and snow falls, but this year, those months were the driest in at least a century. Despite calls for conservation, the state’s water use went up dramatically in March—19% compared to the same month in 2020.
California is in its third year of drought and virtually all areas of the state are classified as either in severe or extreme drought. Due to low water levels in state reservoirs, the state is releasing only a limited amount of water from its supplies.
Last summer, Californians were called on to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15% by doing things like taking five-minute showers and avoiding baths, only running the washing machine and dishwasher with full loads and limiting water use for cleaning outdoor areas. Water used for farming isn’t counted.
Leisure World is served by the Seal Beach through three master meters. The city maintains the water distribution facilities and the fire hydrants within Leisure World.
During the last drought in 2015, former Gov. Jerry Brown issued a mandatory 25% cut in the state’s overall water use, and the state water board set requirements for how much each water district had to cut based on their existing use; districts with higher water use were asked to cut more. Water agencies could be fined up to $10,000 per day if they didn’t comply.
