SACRAMENTO, Calif.—New water restrictions will soon be in place after the State Water Resources Control Board unanimously voted May 24 to ban the watering of ornamental grass in commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors.
The ban would not include “watering turf that is used for recreation or other community purposes, water used at residences or water to maintain trees,” according to the agency.
The emergency regulations (pdf) also require local agencies to implement restrictions on water use to address a potential 20 percent shortage in water supplies due to extremely dry weather.
“California is facing a drought crisis and every local water agency and Californian needs to step up on conservation efforts,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement on Tuesday….