Stocktonians are now required to reduce water consumption by 20% as severe drought conditions continue to ravage the state.
The City Council voted unanimously at its meeting Tuesday to declare “a Stage 2 water shortage emergency” to align with state regulations.
California is on year three of an ongoing drought that saw the driest January and February on record in the state’s history.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in March “declaring a continued state of emergency due to extreme and expanding drought conditions,” which was followed by a similar resolution at the end of May from the California Water Resources Control Board, according to Council documents. Both require a 20% reduction in water usage.
The city’s ordinance, which applies to all single and multi-family residences, businesses and industrial-process water, prohibits any outdoor water on Monday’s, Thursday and Fridays.
Residents with addresses ending in an even number will be permitted to water Wednesday and Saturdays outside the hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Odd addresses will be permitted on Tuesdays and Saturdays with the same time restrictions.
Watering of any commercial, industrial or institutional non-functional turf — such as any grass area that’s solely ornamental and not used for human recreation, civic or community events — is prohibited. This excludes trees and other perennial plants, as well as any watering that comes from any reclaimed or recycled sources.
Violating the ordinance may result in a $100 penalty per day following a first violation, the city says.
The Stage 2 declaration “shall remain in full force and effect until the City Council Finds that a water shortage emergency no longer exists,” the city said.
For more information go to www.Stocktonca.gov/savewater.
