Water Efficiency is a California Way of Life
About California’s Current Drought
As your water provider, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) views our role as the community’s partner in water stewardship. We take this responsibility seriously, but we can’t do it alone. The stewardship of water is a shared responsibility that necessitates action at all levels.
To us, stewardship means responsibly managing and protecting our water resources to ensure long-term sustainability and reliability, at the lowest cost. We are dedicated to supporting our customers’ efforts to live water-efficient lives. Together, we can protect and preserve this invaluable resource for future generations.
Due to our collective management thus far, we are in a far better place now following the historic amount of rain and snowfall from last winter. However, clean water cannot be taken for granted, and given the whipsaw weather of California, we cannot rely on a future of consistently wet winters to continue.
Click here to see the latest drought news and how local water agencies are planning for drought.
Check out the latest drought conditions for California; courtesy of the US Drought Monitor.
California's Drought Response
In March 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order ordering the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to evaluate the adoption of regulations banning irrigation of “non-functional” turf (or grass), such as decorative grass adjacent to large industrial and commercial buildings. The ban would not include residential lawns or grass used for recreation, such as school fields, sports fields and parks.
The move calls on local water suppliers to move to Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans, which require locally-appropriate actions to conserve water across all sectors. The Department of Water Resources estimates a potential water savings of several hundred thousand acre-feet. An acre-foot of water serves the needs of approximately three households for a year.
In May of 2023, EVMWD’s Board of Directors voted to implement new water saving guidelines consistent with the state of California.
Our Goal
Reduce our water use by 10-20 percent.
To achieve the 10-20 percent reduction goal, EVMWD must set restrictions detailed in EVMWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan to address water shortage stages and how they are determined.
EVMWD Takes on the Drought
While all Californians can do their part during the drought, EVMWD continues to take steps to maintain and improve local sustainability and resiliency.
Some of the steps we are taking include:
- Collaboration with other agencies to develop regional solutions for water supply issues in Southwest Riverside County
- Investment into local supplies, through optimization of storage in Elsinore basin and increasing indirect potable reuse options
New Water Saving Guidelines
- Limit landscape irrigation between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Adjust irrigation systems to avoid overspray and overwatering.
- Water by hand using a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle or drip irrigation system if watering during the day.
- Cover your swimming pool. Do not fill uncovered swimming pools.
- Operation of fountains and similar structures must be equipped with a recirculating system.
- Fix leaky faucets, toilets, pipes and irrigation systems.
- Do not wash down driveways or sidewalks.
- Wash your vehicle only with a hose and shutoff nozzle.
EVMWD is Here to Help
“We thank our customers for being water conscious. As we all rise to the occasion during this unprecedented drought, we are here to help.”
Haley Munson, Water Efficiency Specialist
Contact EVMWD at any time with questions about the current drought and how to save water.
Learn more about water saving rebates and incentives for your home or business.
AquaHawk is a great resource for EVMWD customers to monitor their water usage online. All customers are required to stay within Tier 2. In addition to monitoring water usage, AquaHawk provides you with multiple benefits through smart metering. Click here to learn more.
Water Saving Resources for Businesses
- In partnership with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, water saving rebates are also available for commercial customers. Visit SoCalWaterSmart.com to learn more and to apply for a rebate.
Resources for HOAs
EVMWD has approximately 50 associations located throughout its service area. State laws have been enacted to prohibit homeowners from being penalized for practicing conservation efforts, particularly during state drought emergencies.
A free toolkit is available for HOAs. To learn more about the toolkit and receive helpful information for your community’s newsletter or other mailings, please contact Hmunson@evmwd.net or call (951) 674-3146 x8247.
Report Water Waste Online
If you see instances of water waste, you can report it online by clicking here. Photos must be included. Reporting incidents such as overwatering/runoff or broken irrigation helps EVMWD address problems and save water.
