California may make hosing off your driveway a permanent "prohibited" practice

The State Water Resources Control Board is considering a number of regulations that could impact how and when you use water.

According to their notice of a public workshop, there are several items up for discussion to eliminate water waste.

The Board may move to permanently prohibit practices that waste potable water, such as:

Hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes; Washing automobiles with hoses not equipped with a shut-off nozzle; Using non-recirculated water in a fountain or other decorative water feature; Watering lawns in a manner that causes runoff, or within 48 hours after measurable precipitation, and Irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians.

Residents caught using non-circulated water would be subject to fines.

According to the State Water Resources Control Board, "On May 9, 2016, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr issued EO B-37-16 to Make Conservation a California Way of Life. EO B-37-16 sets forth actions designed to ensure water is used more wisely, eliminate water waste, strengthen local drought resilience, and improve agricultural water use efficiency and drought planning."

Tuesday's meeting is an informational workshop only, and the board will not take any formal action.

If you are interested in submitting a comment for the board to consider, you can do so in either writing or by email at the following:

Written comment letters must be submitted to the attention of:

Jeanine Townsend, Clerk to the Board

State Water Resources Control Board

1001 I Street, 24th floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

Comment letters may be submitted to the Clerk of the Board via email at commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov (15 megabytes, or less, in size) or by fax at (916) 341-5620.