Despite big successes in 2014, Paradise will be hit with an above-average water reduction expectation for 2015. Projected to be as high as 36%, the rules have not yet been laid in stone but are coming soon from the governor's office.
Statewide, the usage reduction is only 25%, but Paradise tends to have higher per-capita water use. Despite this, it was one of the few regions to reach the 20% reduction in 2014.
District General Manager George Barber said, "We are disappointed that the past success of last year was not considered in the calculation of this year. We, as a district, have to work out how we are going to reach that reduction." [quote from ParadisePost.com]
Projections are based on 2013 water levels because it was the last year with "normalish" levels, George said. Once the mandate is authorized, the Paradise Irrigation District will have the authority to put "continuous water wasters in a higher payment tier. I don't anticipate we'll have to do that", he noted.
The mandate should be in place by June and will extend out 270 days, the maximum time limit for state mandates per law.
For additional information on water conservation tips for Paradise, visit ParadiseSavesWater.com