05/19/15

Please see below for information regarding DSA’s proposed irrigation water efficiency requirements.  Chet Widom provided some insight on the DSA regulation development process at today’s C.A.S.H. workshop in Sacramento, and C.A.S.H. staff have been coordinating with him to help provide feedback and expertise.

If you have any questions, please contact the C.A.S.H. office at (916) 448-8577.

Dear DSA Partners:

In response to the current drought state of emergency and Governor Brown’s Executive Order B-29-15, the Division of the State Architect (DSA) proposes new water efficiency requirements for public school and community college irrigated landscape areas.

The proposed changes to the 2013 California Green Building Standards (“CALGreen”) Code require reduction in outdoor potable water use for both new construction and modernization projects. Specific requirements include strict irrigation regulations, separate water meters, and automatic controllers that adapt to changes in weather and soil moisture.

The California Building Standards Commission will consider the proposed rulemaking on May 29, 2015. If approved, the new requirements will apply to projects submitted to DSA on or after July 1, 2015.

Further details, including square footage and project valuation thresholds, will be determined after discussion with stakeholders. The additional changes will be presented at the July 21, 2015 Building Standards Commission meeting.

~ C.A.S.H. Staff