On Tuesday, the City of Brentwood will look to adopt a resolution requiring water service customers to reduce consumption by 35%.
The move would take the City of Brentwood into Stage 3 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan where customers would be required to reduce consumption from the amounts used in 2013 by 35 percent. The ordinance would also prohibit certain activities will suspend enforcement of city code relating to dead or dying vegetation due to lack of water.
The move comes in response to Governor Jerry Brown declaring in January of 2014 a Drought State of Emergency and requested a voluntary 20% reduction in water use.
On April 1, 2015, Governor Brown signed Executive Order B-29-15 (“2015 Executive Order”), the first-ever statewide mandatory reduction in potable water use, and announced new State actions to conserve water, increase enforcement of water use restrictions and streamline drought response by State agencies. The 2015 Executive Order directed the SWRCB to move to a mandatory 25 percent reduction.
In response, Brentwood staff has commended moving to stage 3 of the which says:
“During Stage III, the water supply shortage is considered severe (20 percent to 35 percent). Conservation consists of allotments and mandatory conservation rules. This phase becomes effective upon notification by the City that water usage is to be reduced by a mandatory percentage. The City adopts drought ordinances and implements mandatory reductions. Rate changes are implemented to penalize excess usage.”
Under Stage 3, water use restrictions are put into effect (e.g., restrictions pertaining to the number of daytime hours for outside watering, excessive watering that results in gutter flooding, hoses without shutoff devices, non-recycling fountains, and washing down sidewalks or patios).
The Stage III regulations only apply to potable water use and do not restrict recycled or non-potable usage
Proposed Regulations:
- The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.
- The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use.
- The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks.
- The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
- Irrigation with potable water between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.
- The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and up to 48 hours after a measurable rainfall.
- The serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased.
B. Hotel and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. The hotel or motel shall prominently display notice of this option in each bathroom using clear and easily understood language.
C. The outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf with potable water is limited to no more than two days per week.
D. The use of potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings that is not delivered by drip or micro-spray systems.
E. The use of potable water to irrigate ornamental turf on public street medians.
F. A violation of the regulations in Sections A, B, C, D and E above is an infraction and may also be enforced pursuant to and through the administrative and civil measures set forth in Brentwood Municipal Code Chapter 1.12
By moving to Stage 3 of Brentwood’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, the city is anticipating in a revenue loss for the Water Enterprise of $1.8 million for Fiscal Year 2014/15 and approximately $3 million – $4 million on an annual basis starting in fiscal year 2015/16
Here is the 43-page Staff Report: http://brentwood.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=38&event_id=339&meta_id=158376
If you go:
Brentwood City Council Meeting
APRIL 28, 2015 beginning at 7:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers, 150 City Park Way
