Drought Plan
THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT DROUGHT ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Background
As you are likely aware, California is experiencing severe drought conditions, with Riverside County having its third driest year in the past 128 years. On May 24, 2022, the State Water Board adopted mandatory Emergency Water Regulations. The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) complied with these regulations and implemented Level 2 of the District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This plan imposes restrictions, prohibitions, fines, and significantly increased water rates.
Click here to view CVWD’s restrictions.
To learn more about CVWD’s drought plan and update our homeowners on the implications of CVWD’s actions, the Board hosted a presentation by CVWD representatives at the recent August open Board meeting. The presentation (with interactive Q&A) was attended by homeowners in person and on Zoom.
A copy of the CVWD presentation is available on our website here.
There are also significant unknowns regarding further state mandated restrictions and increased fines associated with water consumption. Also, CVWD has said they will be actively policing the current restrictions.
Is the Association planting fall annual color and Rye grass in 2022?
Based on the events above, we will be limiting the fall color planting and not overseeding this year.
Because of the impact of extreme drought conditions and restrictions now in effect we will be planting about 30% of the usual flats of annual color (approx. 2,160 flats). These flowers will be planted in prominent locations throughout the community. We will then use the remaining funds to plant drought resistant perennials in other street-side beds.
We have also opted to make the difficult, yet water wise, decision to not overseed this year. The reasons for this are:
1. Drought mandates from the State Water Board and CVWD prohibit all daylight watering. Not being able to water the winter grass seed during the day may very well cause the seed to not germinate. Spending $90,000 on grass seed that will probably not sprout or be sustained because we can only use limited water and only at night is a waste of seed, money, and water.
2. While CVWD has not yet prohibited overseeding, they strongly discourage it. Not overseeding in Res I this year should save approximately 18,200,000 gallons of water.
3. There is significant chance that additional fines and further use restrictions will be mandated by the State (or CVWD).
While these decisions have nothing to do with economics (other than to avoid fines), there will be some savings. The difference is anticipated to be approximately $300,000 and will be applied to converting some areas of landscaping to drought resistant plantings.
Will there be flowers and winter turf in 2023?
The budget will assume that all flower planting and overseeding in fall of 2023 will resume; however, it will be dependent upon the drought conditions and restrictions in place at that time.
In Closing
The Board and Management appreciate your support and understanding as we all cope with the unpleasant effects of this drought. The water savings, the protection of owners’ resources by not risking the seed loss, the avoidance of potential large CVWD and/or state fines and penalties and redirecting the funds toward drought resistant permanent plantings are all beneficial to the Association. Please be assured that the Board’s decisions are made with the best interests of the membership as their priority.
