Draft water conservation targets from the State of California call for cuts of 20 to 35 percent in the San Diego area, a range the county water authority labeled as not equitable on Thursday.
The San Diego County Water Authority said the Water Resources Control Board‘s proposed water-reduction targets punish those who have conserved and invested in new supplies and reward those who have not.
Proposed cuts range from 20 percent in San Diego and Vista to 35 percent in Carlsbad and Fallbrook. There is a separate target for each local water agency.
“The Water Authority strongly supports additional conservation and the governor’s goals are laudable — but they haven’t been translated yet into proposed regulations that are equitable, protect our economy or advance sensible long-term water policies,” said Mark Weston, chair of the authority’s board.
Weston was in Sacramento on Wednesday to share his concerns with the governor and other state officials.
Potable water use in San Diego County was 12 percent lower in 2014 than it was in 1990 despite an increase of more than 700,000 residents.
The state board is expected to take final action on its proposal May 5 or 6, and its regulations are expected to take effect June 1
