After a year of record-breaking high temperatures, drought and the worst April snowpack in recorded history, Gov. Jerry Brown on April 1 issued California’s first-ever statewide mandatory water restrictions.

In an executive order, Gov. Brown directed the State Water Resources Control Board to impose a 25 percent reduction on the state’s 400 local water supply agencies. The agencies are responsible for coming up with restrictions to cut back on water use and for monitoring compliance.

The consequences of neglecting to meet requirements include substantial fines for communities, which could result in rate hikes for residents.

“This historic drought demands unprecedented action,” Brown said during the annual April snowpack measurement at Echo Summit.

The water-reduction directives include a 25 percent statewide cutback in urban water use from 2013 levels; boosting enforcement of water waste; requiring drip irrigation at new construction; cracking down on farmers who illegally divert water from irrigation canals; and investing in new water-saving technologies.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Connecticut Water’s Solution to Water Utility Scams

The Connecticut Water Company has developed a scam-deterring strategy to prevent imposters from stopping at homes, claiming to work for the local water authority – situations that often lead to theft and potential assaults to the utility customer.

By emailing pictures of the utility employee, utility customers can confirm their identity prior to allowing them access to their home. The new program began the first week in April, and according to water company dispatchers, “it’s already a hit among customers,” Fox CT reports.

Source: Fox CT

Pure Technologies Closes Acquisition of Wachs Water Services

Pure Technologies Ltd. announced April 1 that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Wachs Valve and Hydrant Services, a leading provider of flow control maintenance and support, leak detection and related asset management services to the water sector in the United States.

“I’m pleased to officially welcome Wachs Water to the Pure family,” says Jack Elliott, president and CEO of Pure Technologies. “The closing of this transaction is another milestone in our company’s history, and we look forward to the synergies our two businesses will realize together.”

The total purchase price was $18.5 million, consisting of $13.5 million in cash and $5 million in common shares of Pure (totaling 878,640 shares), to be issued in equal tranches on the 6-month, 12-month and 18-month anniversaries of closing the transaction.

Source: Pure Technologies