The new year always ushers in a slate of new laws and 2009 is no exception, but this year, the rules include standards, orders, and regulations designed to promote water conservation and efficiency.
In California, three new laws involve water quality monitoring, source protection, and water efficiency. The state’s new bottled water labeling law requires bottled water providers to list the source of their water on the bottle and supply consumers with online reports on the quality of the source. AB 2763 is a vector control regulation with water implications: It requires any private or public entity that owns or manages a water storage reservoir or waterway to monitor and assess the potential for invasive aquatic mussel contamination and to prevent the introduction of the species into uncontaminated waterways. Finally, the new California Green Building Standards Code, which will take effect this year, is designed to encourage sustainable construction practices, including water efficiency and conservation.
California is not the only state with water conservation concerns. As of January 1, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will begin enforcing regulations that require the submittal and approval of any new irrigation systems prior to installation and inspection during and after the installation of these systems, in order to ensure that they work properly and comply with the submitted irrigation plan.
The feds are also getting into the act with the release last Friday of an EPA rule on water waste discharge from feedlots. Designed to regulate pollutants discharged by contained animal feed operations, or “factory farms,” the new requirements call for a “zero discharge standard” and, requires farm operators to “develop management plans that prevent the runoff of excessive environmentally damaging nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous into lakes and streams.”
According to EPA estimates, the new regulation has the potential to prevent almost 170 million pounds of pollutants (phosphorus and nitrogen) and 2 billion pounds of sediment from entering the nation’s streams, lakes, and other waters annually.
And finally, across the Atlantic, Irish farmers now face up to €5,000 if they break new water conservation regulations signed into law by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. The laws are designed to stop water waste and/or excessive consumption during times of drought and water shortages. Although consumers who water their lawns or wash their cars are exempt, large-scale users (like golf courses and farmers) can be fined if they do not adhere to water conservation orders. The first fine is €125, but failure to pay within 21 days can result in a prosecution and fines of up to €5,000.
So what do you think? Are rules and regulations the way to go, or can source protection and water conservation be achieved through other methods?