Brentwood Adopts Stage 3 Water Shortage Contingency Plan

The Brentwood City Council adopted moving into Stage III in its Water Contingency Plan early Wednesday morning in response to the Governors 2015 Executive Order and State Water Resource Control Board Drought regulations.

The City adopted a Resolution at the April 28, 2015, Council meeting which requires a 35 percent potable water use reduction from the amounts used in 2013 from its water service customers, implements Stage III of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan and prohibits the following activities in the promotion of water conservation:

1. No watering between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
2. No watering within 48 hours after measurable rainfall
3. No watering more than 2 days per week
4. No excessive landscape runoff
5. No washing vehicle, trailer, boat without shutoff nozzle
6. No washing paved or hardscape surfaces
7. No water use for non-recirculating fountains
8. No watering new home construction landscape except by drip or microspray
9. No watering ornamental turf on public street medians
10. No serving drinking water except upon request in eating or drinking establishments
11. No hotels/motels daily laundering of towels/linens unless requested by a guest

Councilman Steve Barr asked if the city had a plan of how to enforce the two-day watering.

Staff stated they are following what Contra Costa Water is doing to keep it familiar with people. They are looking at setting up a grid to notify people of their two-days or they monitor consumption.

Barr then asked about what happens if they do not meet expectations. Staff said they are still working on the specifics and will bring back a plan to the council sometime in May. Staff noted that the State is issuing reminders such as education and reminders–formal penalties come after a cease and deist letter is issued by the state.

Barr noted that Brentwood residents have already conserved near 20% and now asking them to go to 35% is a bit more.

“That 15% is going to be a lot tougher to get to than the 20% they have already done,” said Barr. “This is serious but we have to be serious how we approach enforcement. I know if I had $30,000 in landscaping, I would probably go the route of just paying the fine because the replacement cost is 6-months before you even see a fine. You can probably just ride it out and hope for rain next year.”

Councilman Gene Clare noted that the water comparison being looked at is the 2013 consumption versus 2015 consumption.

“We have more users than we did in 2013, yet we are going to be held to that rate when we have added users and homes to our community,” said Clare. “It isn’t as simple as 35% because you have more people and more lawns.”

Staff noted they have made the argument to the state and the state is targeting irrigation.

Vice Mayor Joel Bryant noted the overall goal is to reduce consumption but those who water on certain days between the hours allowed will just let it run longer. Staff explained that is where they look at consumption.

Staff will be looking at a baseline for residents to use water as they wish if they are under the baseline. The goal is to look at people who are using above the baseline.

The City will primarily be enforcing these prohibited activities through public outreach and education such as direct mail flyers, bill messages and the City website. Door tag notices will be distributed as a friendly reminder to residents found to be in non-compliance with the water use regulations.

City water customers have responded positively to the City’s request in 2014 for voluntary water use reductions of 20 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 15 percent in comparison to 2013 (average October 2014 – March 2015).

The City will also be focusing on complying with these restrictions. In an effort to conserve water, many City areas such as green belts, median strips and parks are irrigated with nonpotable/recycled water, which is not subject to the new State regulations. New large purple “recycled water” signs have been hung near these areas explaining the beneficial use of recycled water.

Information regarding all four stages of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan is outlined in the City of Brentwood’s 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (available on the City’s website at www.brentwoodca.gov).