In response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 28 Executive Order N-7-22 the State Water Resource Control Board adopted an emergency water conservation regulation on May 24, 2022, that will ensure more aggressive conservation by local water agencies. This new regulation bans irrigating non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, such as grass in front of or next to large industrial or commercial buildings. The ban does not include watering turf that is used for recreation or other community purposes, and water to maintain trees. The new regulation defines non-functional “turf as a ground cover surface of mowed grass that is solely ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreation purposes”.
The ban will not apply to residential properties, but will apply to the non-functional turf maintained by homeowners’ associations. This new restriction came into effect on June 10, 2022, and will remain in effect for one year, unless the State Water Board modifies it, readopts, or ends it before then.
Water suppliers and local government are tasked with enforcing the ban, and those found to be in violation may be subject to a daily fine up to $500.
More information on the regulation can be found on the Fact Sheet or SWRCB website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/conservation_portal/regs/emergency_regulation.html
The City of Ceres is committed to help our business customers to help them meet this State of California mandate. We have resources, rebates, and updates to assist at: https://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/201/Resources and https://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/659/Rebates
If you have additional questions, please contact us 209-538-5732.