During Tuesdays Brentwood City Council meeting, the city will look at requesting that water service customers voluntarily reduce consumption from the prior year by twenty percent. Tuesdays action would move Brentwood into Stage II of their Water Shortage Contingency Plan
The move comes after a an April 22 adopted a resolution calling for a 10 percent reduction while having city staff work with the Contra Costa Water District on water conversation education and outreach.
According to the staff report, city water customers have responded to the City’s request for voluntarily water use reductions of 10 percent, and many have taken advantage of the free water conservation devices and services. To date, the City has seen a reduction in water consumption of 11.8 percent in them onths of April, May, June, and July 2014 in comparison to the same months of 2013. City staff commends residents on their proactive conservation efforts.
The staff report notes that the City staff worked with CCWD to distribute the water conservation devices to customers. During the period of May to July, 2014, 56 water saving shower heads, 35 bathroom faucet aerators, and 45 4-minute shower timers were distributed to customers. Staff will continue to provide these services and devices free of charge to City residents.
The Stage II regulations only apply to potable water use and do not restrict recycled or non-potable usage. This implementation of Stage II is in addition to the drought and conservation restrictions already included in the City’s
Stage II
During Stage II, the water supply shortage is moderate (10 percent to 20 percent). Conservation may be voluntary, consist of allotments, and/or include mandatory conservation rules. The level of action increases with the level of shortage.
For example, if Stage II is to be implemented all of the provisions in Stage I shall also be implemented. The City aggressively continues its public information and educational programs. The City asks for a 10 percent to 20 percent water use reduction, either voluntary or mandatory. If necessary, the City also supports the passage of drought ordinances.”
The City Staff report also notes the State Water Resources Board’s decision to implement the prohibition of certain activities by water users. Specifically, Title 23, Section 864 and Section 865 of the California Code of Regulations provide in applicable part:
Sec. 864 Prohibited Activities in Promotion of Water Conservation
(a) To promote water conservation, each of the following actions is prohibited, except where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency:
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks.
4) The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
Regarding enforcement of the above regulations, it is staff’s recommendation that prior to the issuance of an infraction citation, the City will utilize its administrative enforcement program. This program places considerable emphasis on resolving a particular matter through personal contact, education and notices prior to the imposition of any penalty. If a penalty is imposed, it is done so gradually, with the initial fine set at $100, not $500. If the violation continues or is not corrected, then the next fine is $200 and finally $500 for third and each subsequent violation. In addition, responsible parties receiving an administrative fine at any level may appeal that fine to a hearing officer.
Preliminarily, staff would recommend adopting the above regulations by resolution to ensure that they are in place, and then return to the Council at a future meeting with a proposed ordinance, as appropriate, codifying the changes. The Municipal Code authorizes the enforcement of City regulations, and this will allow staff to look further into whether other provisions, if any, should be included in the Code.
Brentwood Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 (Property Maintenance)
Along with the above revisions, staff recommends that the City Council suspend the enforcement of the City’s property maintenance regulations as they pertain to dead or dying vegetation due to a lack of water. By way of background, in 2007 the City Council enacted Chapter 8.36 (Property Maintenance) of the Brentwood Municipal Code. The chapter puts into place, among other things, residential landscaping requirements.
In adopting Chapter 8.36, the Council recognized the possibility of a drought making the maintenance of certain landscaping impracticable and included Section 8.36.040 (Drought Conditions). This section states:
“During drought conditions the city council may, by resolution, suspend the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter as they relate to dead or dying vegetation due to a lack of water.”
Given the State’s drought declaration, the SWRCB’s emergency regulations, and the proposed implementation of Stage II of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, staff is recommending that the City Council suspend the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 8.36 as they relate to dead or dying vegetation due to a lack of water.
Water Shortage Contingency Plan (As contained in the City’s 2010 Urban Water Management Plan)
Stage I
During Stage I, water alert conditions are declared and voluntary water conservation is encouraged. The City has an ongoing public information campaign that relies on the distribution of literature, speaking engagements, bill inserts, and conservation messages in local newspapers and on the City’s Water Conservation web page. The drought situation is explained to public and government bodies through these information campaigns. In addition, the City explains other stages, forecasts future actions, and requests voluntary water conservation. Educational programs in area schools are ongoing
Stage II
During Stage II, the water supply shortage is moderate (10 percent to 20 percent). Conservation may be voluntary, consist of allotments, and/or include mandatory conservation rules. The level of action increases with the level of shortage. For example, if Stage II is to be implemented all of the provisions in Stage I shall also be implemented. The City aggressively continues its public information and educational programs. The City asks for a 10 percent to 20 percent water use reduction, either voluntary or mandatory. If necessary, the City also supports the passage of drought ordinances.
Stage III
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 III, water use restrictions are put into effect (e.g., restrictions pertaining to the number of daytime hours for watering, excessive watering that results in gutter flooding, hoses without shutoff devices, non-recycling fountains, and washing down sidewalks or patios). The City monitors production weekly for compliance with the necessary reductions. If a customer consistently abuses his or her water use, the City responds by installing a flow restrictor at the water meter.
Stage IV
During Stage IV, the water supply shortage is critical (35 percent to 50 percent). Conservation consists of allotments and mandatory conservation rules. All steps taken in prior stages are intensified, and water deliveries are monitored daily for compliance with the necessary reductions.
If you go
August 12, 2014
City of Brentwood
150 City Park Way (Council Chambers)
Brentwood, CA
*5:30 p.m. Closed Session
*7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency meeting
Here is a link to the full staff report
http://brentwood.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=38&event_id=317&meta_id=153461
