06-04-2015 BPU RPT 11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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's'; A I= R E N E R 11 Y I I F F -7 RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES 61& Board Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: JUNE 4, 2015 ITEM NO: 11 SUBJECT: PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MANDATORY EMERGENCY DROUGHT REGULATIONS ISSUES: The issue for Board of Public Utilities consideration is to adopt an ordinance to comply with the California State Water Resources Control Board's ( SWRCB) emergency regulations related to the drought. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance which: Prohibits certain water uses; 2. Limits turf irrigation to three days per week during summer months and two days per week in the fall and winter; 3. Suspends enforcement of the landscape maintenance provisions for maintaining turf (grass) outlined in Chapter 6.14 of the Riverside Municipal Code; and 4. Implements enforcement procedures including potential fines up to $500 per infraction. BACKGROUND: California is currently in the fourth year of a significant drought resulting in severe impacts to California's water supplies and its ability to meet all of the demands for water in the State. On January 17, 2014 Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. declared a drought state of emergency. On April 25, 2014 the Governor signed an Executive Order that directed the SWRCB to adopt emergency regulations as it deems necessary, pursuant to Water Code section 1058.5, to ensure that urban water suppliers implement drought response plans to limit outdoor irrigation and other wasteful water practices. The SWRCB adopted regulations at its meeting on July 15, 2014 which consisted of three requirements: 1) a prohibition on certain types of water use; 2) an order for all urban water suppliers to implement mandatory conservation measures; and 3) an order for water suppliers with 3,000 or more service connections to provide monthly data on water production. These regulations included prohibitions on certain activities, including: • Watering of outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff; • Washing of hard surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks except to preserve public health and safety; • Washing a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut -off nozzle; and • Use of decorative fountains or water features except where the water is recirculated.