Grand Terrace Extends Mandatory Water Restrictions

The California Department of Water Resources has ordered the extension and expansion of the water restrictions that were implemented in August of last year. These restrictions are the result of California now entering the fourth consecutive year of below normal rainfall and the failure to reduce water use by 20 percent throughout the State. Beginning Nov. 1, in order to meet State mandated water reduction, customers of Riverside Highland Water Company have been required to limit outdoor watering to no more than two days per week instead of the previous three days. All other water restrictions will remain the same, but the number of days will be reduced because outdoor vegetation does not require the same amount of water as the summer months. Shorter, cooler days along with many plants cycling into dormancy means plants require less water. Also, November is usually the start of our rainy season. Remember to turn off your sprinklers during and after a rain event. This time of year you can keep your irrigation system off for a week or more after measurable rainfall as the soil retains the moisture longer than the summer months. The State mandated water reduction for Riverside Highland Water Company is 36 percent less water produced between the months of June 2015 and February 2016, compared to this same time as 2013. For the months of June through August we achieved a 33 percent reduction. This means locals not only need to reduce water use the 36 percent for the remaining months, but need to make up the three percent we were short for the previous three months. If we do not achieve these mandated restrictions, the State may take action, including fines against Riverside Highland Water Company which they will be forced to pass on to their customers. Riverside Highland Water Company has imposed the following existing restrictions to meet the State’s mandated reductions: · You may not use fresh (potable) water to wash down driveways and sidewalks. · Watering of outdoor landscapes that cause excess runoff is not allowed. · You may not use a hose to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle. · No draining and refilling of swimming pools, you may maintain the level in your pool. · You may not use fresh (potable) water in a fountain or decorative water feature that does not recirculate the water. · You may not water lawns or use outdoor irrigation during and for 48 hours following measurable rain. · You may water your lawn ONLY three days per week and ONLY between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. · Restaurants and other food service establishments can serve water to customers on request only. · Hotels and Motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily. Despite early season storms, California continues to face severe water shortages with record low levels in some reservoirs and underground water basins. Low reservoir levels mean there is plenty of room for runoff from El Niño-driven storms, should they develop, but even an extremely wet winter would not return conditions to normal after four consecutive dry years, especially groundwater levels. “No matter how hard it’s raining, we need to remember to use water wisely and sparingly,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “Our historic drought has lasted for years and isn’t going to quickly be washed away.” Incorporated on Feb. 21, 1898, Riverside Highland Water Company is celebrating its 115th year of continuous operation. It is the successors to the Vivienda Company that began transporting water from the Artesian wells at the Mormon’s Rayon Springs, along the Lytle Creek wash north of Baseline, in 1871. Vivienda was one of the three water companies that supplied water for citrus crops on the Riverside Mesa, South of the Santa Ana River and, in fact, supplied it to the highest elevations. The mesa is now known as Grand Terrace. In 1906, Riverside Highland Water Company began flowing water from Artisan wells along the Santa Ana River and installed a landmark steam powered booster pumping station at the base of the Mesa. According to the Riverside Highland Water Company website, “Our forefathers bought and developed water from the Lytle Creek Basin, the San Bernardino Bunker Basin, The Colton – Rialto Basin, and the Riverside North Basin. Even today, we pump water from as far away as nine miles north of our service area.” The City of Grand Terrace encourages all residents and businesses to do their part. For additional information please contact Riverside Highland Water Company at (909) 825-4128.