www.sdchamber.org

Public Policy Update

By Marty Schmidt, Principal, Environs, Chamber Energy and Water Committee

Water is a precious resource.  To transport this necessity 300 miles from the Colorado River and 500 miles from the Sacramento River Delta, we require substantial amounts of energy.  19% of all energy consumed in the State of California is for the transmission and treatment of water.  On April 23, 2009, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors (SDCWA) voted to reduce water supplies to the region by 8%.  The SDCWA also  declared a Level 2 “Drought Alert” due to below average rainfall, snow pack and reservoir storage capacity.  This action by the SDCWA requires all 24 member retail agencies to adopt mandatory conservation measures for residents and businesses. In addition to water use restrictions, water rate increases were enacted on January 1, 2009 with additional rate increases (20% estimated for January 2010) and additional restrictions possible in the future. 

What does this mean to residents and business owners in the San Diego Region? Studies estimate that 63% of residential water consumption is for exterior water use, primarily irrigation for plants and landscaping.  Typical landscapes from the 1950’s–1990’s—lawns with trees and plants around the house and building—need to be re-evaluated. Ironically, the image of these landscapes are green and healthy, but they consume substantial amounts of water.  The maintenance, products and services required to maintain them generate pollution and yard waste.

The reality now facing the region is that we need to change our mindset and approach to design or re-design, plant material selections, irrigation systems and maintenance of landscapes.  Although San Diego’s climate is defined as a desert based on average annual rainfall, the Mediterranean climate, weather and water allow us to grow plants from around the world – the region is a gardener’s paradise.  The green industry is a substantial component of our economy, and there is a real need and opportunity to create a new paradigm for landscapes in the region, to design and implement gardens with extreme beauty, attract nature with birds and wildlife, conserve resources and reduce pollution. An appreciation for a Mediterranean landscape and how our region can still be a gardener’s paradise is primarily a need to eliminate unnecessary lawn areas, design and implement Mediterranean and California native plants, and apply “xeriscape” principles. 

We can improve our quality of life, save water, and spend less time and energy on maintenance.