As all readers know, the world has been full of challenges the past couple of years. From fires belching smoke into our skies to the bottom dropping out of our economy, our little city has been through a lot. While the economy is still straggling and your city government works diligently to rekindle the economy, we've had to place some of our attention on another challenge facing us all, the drought.
Did you know that the current three-year period ranks in the bottom 10 percent of historical rainfall amounts? It's because of this that the Governor and the Santa Clara Valley Water District have both called on local water retailers, like the city, to reduce overall water consumption. More specifically, the water district has asked the city to comply with its call for mandatory water conservation of 15 percent.
When people hear the words "mandatory water conservation" uttered, they understandably get nervous. Residents fear that water will be strictly rationed, water rates will be raised substantially, and landscapes all over town will be brown. While these are all potential aspects of mandatory conservation programs, I'm happy to report that they aren't part of the approach chosen by the city at this time.
As we were considering ways to meet the 15 percent mandate, we remembered the community's success in meeting the 50 percent recycling goal. Our community took the challenge of meeting this goal without resorting to measured garbage service fees like they have in neighboring communities. Instead, the city engaged in a large marketing program and passed simple common-sense rules (like don't throw yard trimmings in the garbage) that supported reaching the community's goal. As a result, we met our goal and maintained our unlimited garbage collection.
Since this worked for recycling, could it work for water conservation too? If we can reach the 15 percent goal without water rationing and higher rates, won't we all be better off? Let's give it a try, Morgan Hill! Here is the four-point plan adopted by the City Council:
- Lead by example - reduce city irrigation of public landscapes by 15 percent
- Let customers know about the drought and what they can do
- Adopt a common-sense ordinance restricting water waste
- Actively enforce the ordinance
I'm certain that many people are interested in learning about the water waste and conservation ordinance. The following permanent rules are now in place:
- Irrigation watering should occur only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
- Irrigation watering is limited to 15 minutes a day per irrigation station.*
- Water leaks and breaks must be fixed within 10 days
- When washing down driveways, sidewalks, vehicles, etc., the hose in use must have a self-closing shut-off nozzle
- Runoff from irrigation must not flow excessively onto the sidewalk or street
- Water fountains and other decorative devices must recycle their water
- Restaurants and bars must serve water only upon request and must employ water-conserving dish wash spray valves
- Motels must provide customers with the option of not having towels and linen laundered daily
In addition, the new ordinance establishes "supply shortage" levels that the City Council can adopt during times of drought or other supply shortages. As we are now in one of those periods, the City Council has officially declared a Level 1 supply shortage. Under Level 1 circumstances, the following additional restrictions are now in place until further notice:
- Irrigation watering is limited to five days per week and is not allowed Mondays and Thursdays between April and October. For the period of November - March, irrigation is limited to one day per week and is only allowed on Wednesdays.*
- Washing down driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards
- Water leaks and breaks must be fixed within three days
So here are the Big 3 rules that most people should note:
- No watering Mondays and Thursdays
- No watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- No powerwashing or hosing down driveways, sidewalks, etc.
Naturally, a full version of the new ordinance is available on the city's web site.
*This provision does not apply to landscape irrigation zones that exclusively use very low flow drip type irrigation systems when no emitter produces more than two gallons of water per hour. This provision also does not apply to watering or irrigating by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, or for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system.
Anthony Eulo is a Program Administrator for the city of Morgan Hill who already programmed his irrigation controller to take a break Mondays and Thursdays. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at 779-7247 or environ@morgan-hill.ca.gov.
Tony Eulo Anthony Eulo is the environmental programs manager for the city and assistant to the city manager. He welcomes questions, comments and thoughts and can be reached at 779-7247.
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