Drought

Low Water LevelsIn response to California’s ongoing drought conditions, the State Water Resources Control Board recently adopted emergency drought regulations that direct all water agencies to implement additional water conservation measures.  Padre Dam has implemented demand reduction actions in our Level 2 drought condition to meet these state guidelines. 

Level 2 restrictions include the following: 

  • Landscape watering is limited to three (3) days per week – customers may choose which three days work best for them 
  • Limit landscape watering 10 minute per water day irrigation with spray heads and hand watering. Customers using drip/micro irrigation, stream rotors, rotating nozzles or a weather-based irrigation controller do not have a 10 minute limit. 
  • Limit Landscape irrigation to before 10am and after 6pm
  • Repair all leaks within 72 hours of notification by the District
  • Restrict water use for decorative water features to recirculated water only and use recycled water when available

    The state also banned watering of decorative lawns at commercial, industrial and institutional properties, including homeowner association common areas. This does not apply to residential lawns, sports fields, school fields or areas regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events.

    Additionally, all permanent water use restrictions remain in place. 

Conservation resources

The San Diego region has adequate water supplies. However, the worsening drought conditions around the state are a reminder to all to avoid wasting water and use water wisely all the time. Padre Dam customers qualify for water savings rebates and incentives for appliances, irrigation and landscaping. Water efficient classes are also available to residential Padre Dam customers are encouraged to reduce their water use by using water wisely and implementing water savings practices.  More information on different programs is below.

 WaterSmart SD – Available to all Padre Dam customers
 This program offers a variety of rebates and incentives to customers. See residential, commercial and agricultural rebates and incentives including landscape classes, rebates for landscape and free audits.
 
Customer Water Audits – Available to all customers
A WaterSmart Checkup is your free opportunity to receive site-specific water-saving recommendations. You’ll benefit from the perspective of our certified irrigation professionals. And you decide if and when to implement the suggestions. 

County of San Diego Waterscape Rebate Program – Available to customers in Unincorporated Areas
 Residential and agricultural rebates such as rain gutters, cisterns, turf replacement and permeable pavement.

Looking toward the future

Padre Dam and the San Diego region are continuously working to further increase water supply reliability, diversity and efficiency. The East County Advanced Water Purification Program is our largest effort towards increasing reliability. This program will provide approximately 30 percent of East County’s water supply by 2025. This Program will enhance the San Diego Region’s water supply reliability and help ensure we can continue to have a sustainable water supply through future droughts.

Current Water Conservation Levels

State of California
As California experiences a third consecutive year of drought condition, the state issues emergency conservation mandates in January 2022 and add additional mandates the became effective in June 2022. More information on the State mandates

San Diego County Water Authority
The San Diego County Water Authority is implementing Level 2 actions while remaining at a Level 1 condition due to having sufficient water supplies for 2022 and beyond,

Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Padre Dam's Board approved implementing Level 2 Drought demand reduction actions to comply with emergency drought regulations on June 15, 2022 while remaining in a Level 1 Drought condition. 

Drought Resources