Politics & Government

City Council Ends Mandatory Water Restrictions

Water restrictions have been in place since July 2009.

The City Council unanimously decided to discontinue Poway’s mandatory water restrictions at its Tuesday meeting.

Since July 2009, residents have been restricted as to when and how frequent they could water plants and lawns. Residents have also been prohibited from allowing water waste from inefficient landscape irrigation and washing paved surfaces, except to alleviate safety or sanitation hazards.

“We would like to take a minute to recognize the tremendous effort that went on here in the city of Poway and our wonderful residents who reduced water usage by 38 percent compared to 2006 when we were at an all-time high,” said Leah Browder, the director of public works for the city of Poway.

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Browder pointed out that the rainy weather reminds us “that things have changed—at least temporarily.”

The Level 2 mandatory water restrictions were placed as the state faced a drought and the city's suppliers, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the San Diego County Water Authority, reduced the city’s total water supply by approximately 8 percent for Fiscal Year 2009-10. MWD and SDCWA repealed these restrictions in April, according to the staff report.

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Although the region is no longer facing an official water shortage, Councilman Jim Cunningham urged citizens to hold their state representatives accountable and insist on long term policy.

“I cheer the fact that the drought is over, but I think now, more than ever, we need to be ever vigilant in staying after long-sustained water policy as opposed to knee-jerk reactions, and force our state legislature to deal with this issue before it becomes to late,” he said.

Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack encouraged residents to continue conserving water.

“I think that Poway should continue to have voluntary compliance; I think that people would,” she said. “I think it’s been very sustainable for many of us, and many of us are adjusting our lifestyles to match that, so I think that we need to continue that drumbeat.

“Two rainy years do not wipe out the long term affects of a drought,” she added.

Browder agreed and said she wants the city to be prepared for the 2020 state mandate, which will reduce water usage by 20 percent. She added that rate projections indicate that water prices are going to increase and potentially double by 2020.

"We stand ready to continue to support people in voluntary compliance and to continue to explore ways to increase conservation and efficiency," she said.

Browder said staff will give an in-depth report about the continued importance of water conservation at the next city council meeting on June 7.

In other council business:

  • The city council decided three Poway businesses operating on property zoned for residential use will close this summer. The three businesses are Mike’s Inland and Coastal Landscaping located on Midland Road and Remax and Prudential on Espola Road. The city council approved zoning changes for three other businesses, 7-Eleven on Pomerado Road and Poway Nursery and KRC Rock on Oak Knoll Road.
  • Council members approved the use of BMX bikes during specific times inside the Poway Skate Park.
  • Council members also approved a rate increase submitted by EDCO Waste & Recycling Services. Residential rates will be increased from $23.52 to $23.76 and commercial rates will be increased from $130.62 to $131.90.


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