Water Conservation in Landscaping Act Hearing Set

A bill that seeks to exclude swimming pools and spas from the definition of “water feature” in California for purposes of the state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is set for a hearing Tuesday, April 13, before the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Assembly Bill 2409, co-authored by assemblyman Brian Nestande, (R-Riverside) and assemblyman Jerry Hill, (D-San Mateo), will direct public agencies through the state that develop water contingency plans under the Urban Water Management Planning Act to analyze and define “water feature,” including decorative fountains, waterfalls, streams and ponds separately from swimming pools and spas as currently defined under the Health and Safety Code.

At issue with the model ordinance is that the definition of “water feature” includes swimming pools and spas. John Norwood, president of SPEC, the California Spa and Pool Industry Education Council, said the main concern is that this definition of water feature inadvertently could lead to swimming pools and spas being ordered to shut down in certain emergency situations, if adopted by local agencies for drought ordinances. 

“Such a result could cause homeowners thousands of dollars in damages to their pools and spas,” Norwood said in a statement.

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Water Conservation in Landscaping Act Hearing Set

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