(April 9, 2015, 6:50 a.m.) -- Following-up on a story being closely followed by LBREPORT.com, the Long Beach Water Dept. would be required to reduce potable water usage by 20% under emergency-rules proposed by the State Water Resources Control Board. The agency's proposed rules would establish "tiers" of reductions depending on per capita water use by their customers, a figure referred to as Residential Gallons Per Capita Day (R-GPCD).

Under the proposed rule's standard, the Long Beach Water Dept. is within a tier of urban water agencies statewide required to make a 20% reduction. Others within that tier include LA's Dept. of Water and Power. The Lakewood Water Dept. would be required to cut back by 25%. Seal Beach would be required to cutback by 10%.

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Based on their per capita usage, 18 water agencies statewide (includes Seal Beach) would be required to cut back by 10%; 126 water agencies (includes LB Water) would be required to reduce per capita consumption by 20%; 132 water agencies (includes Lakewood) would have to reduce by 25%;...and 135 would be required to cut back by 35%.

"The proposed breakdown of water suppliers into R-GPCD groupings with corresponding conservation standards is intended to equitably and effectively achieve a 25% aggregate statewide reduction in potable urban water use," says the text of the State Water Resources Control Board's Draft Regulatory Framework released on April 7:

In terms of "percent saved June 14 to Feb. 15 compared to 2013, gallons," the state agency says LB Water Dept. users saved 6% (with a Residential Gallons Per Capita Day (R-GPCD) of 82.4 gallons.) Lakewood conserved more (11%) but used more; its R-GPCD was 110.8 gallons. Seal Beach's R-GPCD was only 45.3 gallons.

To view the list of reductions proposed for all 411 water suppliers statewide, click here.

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Regarding enforcement, the state agency's draft rule states:

The State Water Board has a variety of tools available to enforce its regulations:

• Informal enforcement, such as warning letters, can provide a clear reminder to water suppliers of the requirements and an alert that their conservation programs are not achieving the desired water savings. Warning letters would generally not be accompanied by monetary penalties

• Formal enforcement actions include Cease and Desist Orders (CDO) to stop non-compliant activity. These Orders generally contain a description of the specific actions, and a timeline for implementing them, required for the recipient to return to compliance. Non-compliance with a CDO during a drought emergency, such as the current one, can result in a complaint to assess Administrative Civil Liabilities of up to $10,000 for each day of non-compliance....

The State Water Board’s existing emergency regulation includes a number of water use prohibitions that apply to all Californians and end-user restrictions that apply to specific water users, such as restaurants and hotels. These existing restrictions will remain in effect, and consistent with the Executive Order, the following new prohibitions will be put in place:

• The use of potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings that is not delivered by drip or micro-spray systems will be prohibited; and

• The use of potable water to irrigate ornamental turf on public street medians will be prohibited. The State Water Board will also consider adding requirements for large landscape users (e.g. commercial, industrial, institutional) not served by either type of water supplier discussed above to achieve the 25% statewide reduction in potable urban water use.

As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, on April 2 LB Water Dept. General Manager Kevin Watier told the LB Water Dept. governing board that LB might not have to meet the full 25% reduction in view of LB per capita reductions (achieved with mandatory water restrictions, use-incentive rates and a lawn to garden program in place.) Mr. Watier's prediction was accurate...but the 20% reduction under the state agency's proposed rule means LB water consumers [including City agencies] have some distance to go to meet required conservation.

The state agency adds: "The State Water Board is interested in receiving feedback on these regulatory concepts as well as other ideas on how a 25% reduction could be structured. Please submit comments and ideas on the proposed framework by email to Jessica Bean at Jessica.Bean@waterboards.ca.gov by April 13, 2015."

Developing...with further to follow on LBREPORT.com.

Disclosure: LBREPORT.com is among LB media outlets carrying an informational ad for the LB Water Dept.