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Round up: Communities around the state add water restrictions, rate increases to respond to drought

Posted by: Maven on May 13, 2009 at 7:32 am

Here’s a round-up of this morning’s articles regarding conservation mandates and/or rate increases from around the state:

Sacramento: City council updates antiquated conservation ordinance, but no immediate controls on consumption just yet: “The rules are not necessarily a response to a third year of drought gripping California. They don’t impose any immediate new controls on water consumption. Rather, the goal is to update an antiquated conservation ordinance and make it a bit easier to enlighten scofflaws. “It’s kind of a day of reckoning for individuals who have been living in a different behavior pattern with water use,” warned Councilman Kevin McCarty.” The new ordinance imposes a fine structure. Click here for the full story from the Sacramento Bee.

Benicia: City is just asking for voluntary conservation right now: “Although local residents are being asked to voluntarily cut water usage in Benicia this summer, calls for mandatory rationing appear unlikely, city officials said Monday. Benicia Public Works Director Dan Schiada said the city’s water resources are projected to last through early next year without restrictions on use.” The article notes that the Solano County Water Agency has not issued any conservation requests. Click here for the full story from the Times-Herald.

Stockton: 63% increase over the next four years proposed: “Officials on Tuesday proposed a 63 percent increase in residential water rates over four years to fund the Delta Water Supply Project, Stockton’s $217 million plan to pump drinking water from the Delta. The increase would raise the average resident’s monthly bill to $54.01 from $33.15 by 2012, with 15 percent increases this year and next and smaller ones in 2011 and 2012.” Click here for the full story from Stockton’s Record.

Livermore: Rates are going up, about $5 per month for the average family, but still some are angry: “Starting July 1, water bills will increase by 9.6 percent for the one-third or so residences whose drinking water is supplied by the city. The privately operated California Water Service Company, which provides water to the remaining two-thirds of Livermore, already raised its fees several months ago.” Click here for the story from the San Jose Mercury News.

Temecula: Mandatory conservation on the board’s agenda: “Charity car washes, watering a lawn during the day and using a hose to wash a vehicle could become fineable offenses if a slate of mandatory water conservation measures are adopted this week by the Rancho California Water District.” Click here for the story from the North County Times.

May 13, 2009 · Filed Under Conservation

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