Governor Newsom restricted potable water use for non-essential grass irrigation at public agencies, restaurants, corporations, industrial parks, and certain property owners.
California, despite a reprieve from a recent severe drought due to an extremely wet winter, is taking proactive measures to manage its water resources.
Governor Newsom’s New Law
Residential lawns, apartment buildings, sports grounds, and cemeteries are among the specified types of sites that this legislation does not cover or apply to. In other words, these particular areas are exempt from the restrictions set forth in this rule.
The prohibition, set to commence on January 1, 2027, echoes a temporary measure already in place, which was implemented as an emergency regulation during the drought in June 2022 and is scheduled to expire in June 2024.
The move to make this ban permanent was supported by environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council and Heal the Bay, as well as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the largest wholesale provider of drinking water in the country.
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Nevada’s Precedent in Water Regulation
The ban is seen as a straightforward approach to water conservation by replacing nonfunctional turf with drought-resistant plants, reducing water usage, pesticides, maintenance, and mowing.
Similar legislation was adopted in Nevada in 2021, targeting the use of Colorado River water for irrigating nonfunctional turf on specific commercial and institutional properties. The permanent ban aligns with California’s water-saving goals, including converting ornamental turf to climate-tolerant landscaping by 2030.
According to the State Water Board, ceasing irrigation of non-functional grass will save water equivalent to the usage of up to 780,000 households annually.
While some critics express a preference for local control and advocate for increased access to recycled water, proponents stress the importance of standardized regulations for a more effective and sustainable approach to water management, especially during recurring drought cycles.
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