Livermore Water Users Could Pay 35% More for Their Water

The City of Livermore voted Monday to reward residents who reduce their water usage by 30% with lower bills while those who do not reduce could end up paying 35% more each month.

The move comes after a February decision to implement a voluntary 20% reduction. The City only saw a 4% reduction by its users according to a staff report.

Staff recommended a 30-35% reduction level to curb demand and ensure sufficient revenue for water system operations. Those who do not reduce within that range will see an increase of 35% on their bill—or $22 per month on average.

For example, customers who reduce demands by 30-35 percent would pay about the same under the Stage 3 Conservation Rates. However, customers not achieving the reductions could pay significantly more.

Very low volume users should see only minor increases from the implementation of Conservation rates even if they are unable to further reduce their usage. An average water bill for a residential customer using 5 units per month (the average use is 15 units/month) would increase from $27.84 per month to $34.34 per month if usage stayed the same.

Click to enlarge the rates

The City also approved the following mandatory restrictions:

Livermore Water Shortage Contingency Plan Stage 2 Water Conservation Measures

1.  Lawn watering and landscape irrigation, including construction meter irrigation, shall be reduced to no more often than twice per week on an odd-even schedule; properties with odd street address numbers water on odd days of the month and properties with even street address numbers water on even days of the month, with no watering permitted on the thirty-first day of the month. Lawn watering and landscape irrigation is permitted only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), or 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST), and 9:00 a.m. the following day.
2.  Swimming pools and spas shall be covered when not in use.
3.  Washing of autos, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment may be done at any hour, but no more frequently than once per month with a bucket and a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle for quick rinses. Washing is permitted at a commercial car wash, or by a mobile car wash or on-site car wash using high-pressure washing equipment. No wastewater from vehicle washing may enter the storm drain system.
4.  Restaurant kitchens shall be equipped with low-flow rinse nozzles
5. The overfilling of swimming pools, spas, ponds, and artificial lakes is prohibited.
6. Irrigation of golf courses, parks, school grounds and recreation fields is permitted only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. PDT (5:00 p.m. PST) and 8:00 a.m. the following day. Tees and greens may be watered at any time.
7.  The use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and related activities, approved metered uses or other activities necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the public.
8.  Construction operations receiving water from a construction meter or water truck shall not use water unnecessarily for any purposes other than those required by regulatory agencies. The city has the right to inspect all construction sites using water from a city construction meter for the efficient use of water.
9.  Restaurants shall not serve water to their customers except when specifically requested.
10. Swimming pools, spas and fountains must be leak-proof. Any leak shall be repaired in a timely manner after notification by the city, but in no case after notification in excess of 72 hours for the first violation and then every 72 hours thereafter for the second and third violations.
11.  There shall be no hose washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, patios, porches or verandas, except that flammable or similarly dangerous materials may be washed from such areas by direct hose flushing for the benefit of public health and safety. A bucket and broom may be used to wash paved surfaces if necessary.
12.  No potable water may be used for compacting or dust control purposes in construction activities where there is a reasonably available source of recycled or other nonpotable water approved by the California Department of Public Health and appropriate for such use. This condition must be identified and specified on construction drawings submitted to the city for review.
13.  No person shall cause or allow water to run off or leak from landscaped areas to adjoining streets, sidewalks, or other paved areas due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or excessive watering.

Based on these restrictions, the city may fine users after a formal first offense warning–the second offense and beyond is $100.

Here is a look at some other Cities and how they are dealing with the drought:

• Antioch – has implemented a 15% Voluntary Drought Management Plan
• Benicia – residents are being urged to cut water by 20%. They are considering tougher measures to achieve conservation goals.
• Brentwood – has asked residents to voluntarily reduce water usage by 10 percent
• Contra Costa Water District: Voluntary Drought Program for 2014 is asking customers to reduce their overall water use by 15 percent from their historical use.