New Extended Emergency Water Conservation Regulations will Give Helix an 8% Break!

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopts extended emergency water conservation regulation yesterday, February 2, 2016. After several short months of public hearings, and two rounds of drafts, yesterday the State Water Board adopted new emergency water conservation regulations that now gives more flexibility to Water Suppliers to Meet Conservation Targets.

So, what does this mean to Helix Customers? It means the District will get "credit" for the new water supply that the customers paid for, investment in the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. and also consideration for the increase climate in our inland valley. The only caveat is that the SWRCB has limited the credit/adjustment to a maximum of 8%. Thus, although the District should be able to claim a 8% credit to desal and 2% credit to climate, the District will only be able to adjust a total of 8%. Hence, our requirement of cutting back 20% is now reduced to 12%, in comparison to the 2013 months.

Although, we do not need to continue our efforts to cut back over 20%, please, we do not want to go back to any bad habits and waste water. I support water efficiency and being water wise!