Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

In Face of Possible Drought, County Seeks New Landscaping Rules

San Diego County officials are looking at using drought-tolerant plants at county facilities because of dry conditions. They also want to conserve water. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

In Face of Possible Drought, County Seeks New Landscaping Rules

San Diego County officials are looking at using drought-tolerant plants at county facilities because of dry conditions. They also want to conserve water. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors wants to require fire and drought-resistant landscaping at all new county projects including parks, libraries, and roadways.

Advertisement

Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob say a lingering drought in the region and wildfire risk prompted the move. San Diego and Los Angeles are on track to have their driest seasons on record. The Sierra snowpack is 29 percent of normal and the Colorado River is in the midst of a seven-year drought.

The county maintains an estimated three million square feet of landscaping. County staffers will study the possibility of changing the landscaping requirements and report back to the board in two months. The San Diego County Water Authority says more than half of residential water in the county is used for outdoor landscaping.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.