On April 20, the Town of Discovery Bay announced its residents must reduce water usage of 36 percent and water use prohibitions take place immediately.
The news comes after it was announced Saturday that Discovery Bay was one of the highest water users per capita in the Bay Area with Atherton and Woodside. The State Water Board says these areas need to cut back by 36 percent.
The State has a goal to reduce statewide water usage by 25 percent over the next 9-months.
A Notice of Violation that is issued is punishable by a fine of $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second violation, $100 for a third violation, and $500 for a fourth and any subsequent violation.
Water Use Prohibitions for ALL Discovery Bay residents
- Properties with Even numbered addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays and Saturdays only.
- Properties with Odd numbered addresses are allowed to water on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
- Outdoor watering before 1:00 pm and after 7:00 pm only.
- Hosing down sidewalks and driveways.
- Watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff
- Irrigating turf or ornamental landscapes within 48 hours of rainfall.
- Washing a motor vehicle (car/boat/trailer/RV) with a hose, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle.
- Operating a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is part of a recirculating system. We strongly encourage you to turn off all fountains.
- Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers upon request.
- Watering of landscape of newly constructed homes and buildings that is not delivered by drip or microspray systems
Here is a letter sent out on April 20 by Rick Howard, General Manager of the Town of Discovery Bay.
April 20, 2015
Dear Discovery Bay Resident,
Facing a fourth-consecutive dry year and severely reduced water supplies, Gov. Jerry Brown mandated a 25 percent statewide reduction in water use. This unprecedented action reflects the severity of the drought and what is needed from all Californians to ensure all of our water use needs can be met. Based upon past water consumption, the state has mandated a 36% water reduction in Discovery Bay. Failure to comply with the state’s mandates could result in the Town of Discovery Bay (TODB) being fined by the state $10,000 each day for non-compliance!
To achieve the goals of the state mandate, the TODB will be enforcing Emergency Drought Regulations enacted by the TODB Board of Directors in September 2014. The water -use prohibitions are compliant with statewide mandates and include limiting outdoor irrigation to no more than two days per week.
NOTE -The 36 percent reduction and water use prohibitions take effect immediately. See the complete list of prohibited uses on the second page of this letter.
Failure to comply with these new rules may result in fines; Failure to comply with the new regulation may result in fines of up to $500! The Town may issue a Notice of Violation to any person, business, association, or other party who fails to comply with any condition of the new regulations. A Notice of Violation that is issued is punishable by a fine of $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second violation, $100 for a third violation, and $500 for a fourth and any subsequent violation.
You and your neighbors have been working diligently to reduce discretionary water use. Thanks to changes many of you have made in recent years, this reduction in water use is achievable and within reach. If you need help finding additional ways to save, we are here to help. Visit www.saveourwater.com or call us at (925) 634-1131.
I encourage you to do your part, and to use water wisely. You can contact the Town office at (925) 634-1131 or visit us on our website at www.todb.ca.gov and click on the Drought link.
Sincerely,
Rick Howard, General Manager
Town of Discovery Bay
How to Reduce Water Use by 36 %
Here are just a few tips to help you get started meeting the 36% reduction in water use. Discover more ideas and learn how you save even more at www.saveourwater.com
Lose your lawn, get a garden
Replace your thirsty front yard lawn with drought tolerant plants. HINT -Reduce your automatic sprinkler schedule to one watering day save and up to 400 gallons per week. Check your sprinkler timer after every power outage.
Water early or late
Outdoor watering between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. is prohibited. Save up to 80 gallons per week by watering in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler. Remember to water no more than two days per week.
Sweep, don’t spray
Hosing down your driveway or patio is prohibited and you could save up to 10 gallons per minute by using a broom or electric leaf blower.
Low-flow showerhead
An efficient showerhead could save 8 gallons or more per day.
Upgrade your toilet
Replace that old toilet with a high-efficiency model and save about 15 gallons per day.
Read your meter
If you have a meter, you can determine your daily use and check for leaks. A leaky toilet can lose up to 40 gallons per day. Shut off all water and check your meter reading. Go back after 30 minutes and check it again. If it moves, you probably have a leak. If you don’t have a meter, check for leaks around the home and fix them immediately.
Mulch around plants
A layer of mulch around trees and other plants in your garden saves you up to 8 gallons per day. Visit our website for mulch coupons.
Launder full loads
Modern clothes washers save an average of 10 gallons per load over standard models. Wash full loads only. Visit our website to learn about rebates for efficient clothes washers
2 comments
Proof Discovery Bay does not care about the rules or about other people. Just another on the long list of rules they break and think do not apply to them.
@Reality Check Obviously this is just your jaded opinion of DB because you haven’t given any rules they (Discovery Bay Residents) have broken nor followed up to your argument.
This just leads me to believe that you are someone who regularly hides behind your name and goes on rants related to the topics posted on this site trying to stir the pot.
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