Voluntary water use restrictions are now mandatory

SAN DIEGO - Water use restrictions that had been voluntary in the San Diego region are now mandatory, following a vote today by the County Water Authority Board of Directors.

The change was prompted by deepening drought conditions and new directives by the state government, according to the water authority.

The CWA says stronger conservation measures will help San Diego County keep as much water as possible in storage for next year and comply with emergency water conservation mandates approved last week by the state Water Resources Control Board.

The water authority does not expect cutbacks in...