The permanent statewide drought has eased up enough locally,
with above-average rainfall this year, that the city has
temporarily lifted water use restrictions put in place to encourage
conservation.
The permanent statewide drought has eased up enough locally, with above-average rainfall this year, that the city has temporarily lifted water use restrictions put in place to encourage conservation.
The restrictions were implemented in June 2009, in response to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s call for 15 percent mandatory conservation among water retailers throughout the county. Now that the water district is considering loosening its conservation requirements, the city council declared an end to its “level one water supply shortage” Wednesday.
Temporary restrictions that allowed the city to exceed the water district’s directive by using 17.5 percent less water from June 2009 to March 2010 include limited yard-watering days, requirements to fix leaks within 72 hours of their discovery, and a prohibition on washing down paved surfaces.
Those restrictions are no longer in place as of Wednesday, but residents and businesses in Morgan Hill are still encouraged to continue to conserve and “use water judiciously,” Morgan Hill program administrator Anthony Eulo said.
The declaration of an end to unseasonably dry conditions that caused water shortages statewide for the last three years will have no effect on the city’s 13 permanent requirements related to water use, which will always be enforced regardless of weather conditions, Eulo said.
“California is, in some ways, in a permanent drought, but the extreme conditions we’ve experienced recently have passed,” Eulo said.
Most places in Santa Clara County received above-average rainfall this rainy season, improving the water district’s supply and resulting in nearly normal inflow into the agency’s 10 reservoirs, water district spokeswoman Susan Siravo said. Morgan Hill received more than 33 inches of rain this year, and on May 1, the total capacity of the reservoirs was 108 percent of their average capacity for that date.
Restrictions on imported water from two key sources outside the county are still in place due to wildlife concerns, Siravo added. Last month, state and federal agencies increased the water district’s imported water allocations from the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project to 40 and 75 percent of its requested volumes for most users, respectively.
“Although these imported water allocations are still very low, the district is in better shape because of its mix of imported and local supplies, the community response to the district’s call for water conservation, recycling and groundwater banking programs and replenishment of local groundwater reserves,” Siravo said.
Eulo noted that no citations were issued to water wasters during the supply shortage, but his office received about 20 complaints of potential violations during the last 12 months. City staff responded to those complaints by sending notices to those who were possibly in violation.
These notices, a publicity and education campaign and even the sluggish economy helped the city exceed the 15 percent conservation target, Eulo said. “There weren’t a lot of cars at new car lots being washed,” he said.
The water district board of directors considered lifting its call for mandatory conservation at a meeting May 25, but wanted more information from staff about what the water retailers have done to meet the conservation goal.
Most retailers have a tiered water rate structure, imposing higher rates for higher users, Siravo said.
“Most water retailers enhance the district’s outreach and educational programs with bill inserts, distribution of materials such as fliers and posters, staffing of events, and updates to their web site,” Siravo said.
With the lifting of temporary city restrictions, residents and business owners can now water their lawns and landscaping every day.
Permanent restrictions still in place include limits on watering hours and the duration of watering, allowing excessive runoff from one’s property, and requiring the use of an automatic shutoff nozzle when washing cars.
