Riverbank Public Works Superintendent Michael Riddell recently presented the Riverbank City Council members and council meeting attendees with an outdoor water use plan. After review and discussion, a decision on the outdoor water use policy was tabled and will be brought back at a future meeting.
The summary as listed on the agenda stated that on Feb. 23, 2016, City Council considered information supporting the first reading and introduction of a proposed ordinance amendment to the water provisions of Chapter 52, under Title V of the Riverbank Municipal Code (RMC) which was initiated by Governor Brown’s proclamation of a state emergency to the current drought conditions, and additional issued state mandates that followed thereafter. On March 8, 2016, City Council considered the second reading of the proposed ordinance and unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2016-004, which amended several sections of Chapter 52, to comply with the state mandated water restrictions, and to address a Conservation Order received from the State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Enforcement, directing the City of Riverbank to immediately take additional action to meet the mandated water conservation target of 32 percent or be subjected to a civil liability of up to $500 per day for each day the violation continued.
The plan would affect customers within the City of Riverbank and can be changed by the City Council.
The proposed plan will assist the City of Riverbank to regulate outdoor water use during seasonal changes as well as during unexpected and extreme weather conditions that tend to increase levels of water use.
The new landscape irrigation summer schedule would run from April 1 through Oct. 31 but it was noted that the current winter schedule ends on April 30, 2016 which was previously approved by the City Council and remains in effect. The new proposed summer schedule would become effective May 1, 2016 or soon thereafter.
The summer restrictions would include no landscape irrigating between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., odd numbered addresses are allowed irrigation only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., even-numbered addresses can irrigate only on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., landscape irrigation is prohibited at all times on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, landscape irrigation is prohibited within (48) hours after a measureable rainfall event ends, regardless of the permitted aforementioned summer watering schedule.
The winter schedule proposed (which would go into effect later this year) is from Nov. 1 through March 31. Winter restrictions are as follows, no landscape irrigating between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., odd-numbered addresses are allowed irrigation only on Sundays before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., even-numbered addresses can irrigate only on Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., landscape irrigation is prohibited at all times Monday through Friday, landscape irrigation is prohibited within (48) hours after a measureable rainfall event ends, regardless of the permitted aforementioned winter watering schedule.
No excessive water flow or runoff is acceptable. Watering or irrigating any lawn, landscape or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining street, alley, gutter or ditch is prohibited.
Residents have an obligation to fix leaks, breaks or malfunctions. Excessive use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions is prohibited and should be immediately corrected to stop the waste of water.
The washing of commercial and noncommercial privately owned automobiles, trucks, trailers, motor homes, boats, buses, and other types of vehicles is restricted to the use of a hand-held bucket and quick rinses using a hose with a quick-acting positive shut-off nozzle. Vehicle washing is limited to one washing per week.
There shall be no washing of building exteriors, mobile home exteriors, sidewalks, patios, driveways, gutters or other exterior surfaces, unless permitted by the Public Works Director, or Superintendent, or his/her designee, and done with the use of a quick-acting positive shut-off nozzle on the hose.
Riddell noted that the city can grant a temporary waiver of the restrictions for existing potable water use and the city manager can grant a hardship exemption.
There will be penalties for noncompliance with the outdoor water use policy with a fine of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, $300 for the third, $400 for the fourth, and $500 for the fifth violation along with each subsequent violation fine thereafter set at $500.
For more information regarding the Outdoor Water Use Plan visit www.riverbank.org, select meetings and agendas and select the March 22 agenda or video.