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City of Ripon
The Jewel of the Valley
PRESS RELEASE
Mandatory Water Conservation Regulations
For Immediate Release
May 8, 2015
In January 2014 the Honorable Governor Jerry Brown proclaimed a drought
emergency “calling on every city, every community, every Californian to
conserve water in every way possible”. The City of Ripon passed mandatory
water measures to meet those requirements and has since been proactive in
finding ways to conserve water. Compared to the designated water conservation
baseline year of 2013, the Ripon community has seen a reduction of 17% of
water use between the months of January and April 2015.
As California goes into the fourth year of a multi-year drought, the Governor has
called for stricter water conservation mandates and has set specific water
conservation targets for water suppliers. Based on the per-capita residential
water use last summer, Ripon has been assigned a water conservation target of
36%, compared to the baseline year of 2013.
The City Council held a workshop on May 5, 2015 to discuss specific
conservation efforts in order to meet the 36% conservation target for the City of
Ripon. As part of that discussion, along with the specific State’s water
conservation mandates, the following regulatory water conservation
requirements will be considered for adoption by the Ripon City Council at the
May 19th City Council meeting to be held at the Ripon City Council Chambers
(259 N Wilma Ave) at 7:00 pm:

Outdoor water use prohibited from 10 am to 6 pm;

Outdoor watering limited to two days per week – odd numbered
addresses water Wednesday and Sunday; even numbered addresses
water Tuesday and Saturday;

The use of water for washing vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, or
cleaning of building exteriors is only allowed during the same outdoor
watering day/time restrictions previously described and with a use of an
automated shut-off nozzle on the hose;

The use of water in a fountain or other decorative water feature are
prohibited, except where water is part of a recirculating system;

Draining and refilling of pools, spas, and ponds shall only be allowed
for health, maintenance or structural considerations, after approval by
the Public Works Director. Request for approval must be in writing to
the Director;

No irrigation of ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours following
measurable rain;

It is prohibited to use water to wash driveways, sidewalks, patios,
parking lots, aprons and other exterior surfaces except for sanitation,
public health and safety and fire protection purposes;

No application of water to outdoor landscaping in a manner that causes
excessive runoff;

Operators of hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of
choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily and prominently
displayed notice of this option;

Restaurants and food service establishments prohibited from serving
water except upon request;

All commercial, industrial, and institutional properties that use a water
supply, or any portion of the water supply, from a source other than a
water supplier, shall either (1) limit outdoor irrigation of ornamental
landscapes or turf with potable water to no more than two days per
week, or (2) reduce potable water usage by 25 percent for the months
of June 2015 through February 2016 as compared to the amount used in
the same months in 2013;

No irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street
medians;

Irrigation of newly constructed homes and buildings to be consistent
with regulations established by the California Building Standards
Commission and the Department of Housing and Community
Development; and

Increase penalties for violations, as follows:
o
1st offense after warning – $100
o
2nd offense after warning – $200
o
3rd offense after warning – $300
o
4th offense and subsequent offenses after warning – $500
The City of Ripon will continue to monitor very closely the actual conservation
being achieved compared to the conservation targets set by the State and
consider additional water conservation regulations, as necessary.