HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.F 06/06/2016DATE:
TO:
Agenda Item #3.F
June 6, 2016
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Da St ASCE — Director, Public Works and Utilities
Leah Walker, P.E. — Environmental Services Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption (Second Reading) of an Ordinance Amending Water Conservation
Regulations Contained in Section 15.17.070 of the Petaluma Municipal Code to
Include Additional Regulations on Water Waste.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt an Ordinance Amending Water Conservation
Regulations Contained in Section 15.17.070 of the Petaluma Municipal Code to Include
Additional Regulations on Water Waste.
BACKGROUND
On May 16, 2016, the City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance
amending water conservation regulations contained in Section 15.17.070 of the Petaluma
Municipal Code to Include Additional Regulation on Water Waste. A clarification has been
made in the Resolution regarding swimming pool covers. The recommended action provides for
second reading and adoption of the ordinance.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no financial impacts associated with the recommended ordinance amendments.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance
EFFECTIVE DATE
OF ORDINANCE
Introduced by
ORDINANCE NO. N.C.S.
Seconded by
ORDINANCE AMENDING WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS CONTAINED
IN SECTIONS 15.17.070 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is updating its Urban Water Management Plan
(UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) in accordance with State requirements;
and
WHEREAS, California has experienced four years of severe drought; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma residents have been responsive in reducing water demands during
this drought period; and
WHEREAS, a review of the City's Water Conservation Regulations and WSCP
identified additional actions that would result in enhanced water conservation savings; and
WHEREAS, adopting this ordinance will assist the City in meeting the 2025 General
Plan goal 8 -G -5 to "maximize water conservation measures to improve water use efficiency and
reduce overall water demand "; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma
hereby as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated by reference.
Section 2. Section 15.17.070 of the Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
15.17.070 Water waste prohibitions.
The purpose of this section is to promote water conservation and efficient use of potable
water furnished by the city of Petaluma by eliminating nonessential water use and
intentional or unintentional water waste when a reasonable alternative solution is
available and by prohibiting the use of water equipment that is wasteful.
A. Nonessential Uses Defined and Prohibited. No customer of the city shall use or
permit the use of potable water from the city for residential, commercial, institutional,
industrial, agricultural, or other purpose for the following nonessential uses:
1. The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots and other hard -
surfaced areas by direct hosing not equipped with a shutoff nozzle, except as may be
necessary to properly dispose of flammable or other dangerous liquids or substances
and /or to prevent or eliminate materials dangerous to the public health and safety;
2. The escape of water through breaks or leaks within the customer's plumbing or
private distribution system for any substantial period of time within which such break or
leak should reasonably have been discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a
period of one hour to stop the flow of water from such break or leak after the consumer
discovers such a break or leak or receives notice from the city, and seventy -two hours to
correct such break or leak after the consumer discovers such a break or leak or receives
notice from the city, is a reasonable time period;
3. Irrigation in a manner or to the extent that allows runoff of water or over -spray of the
areas being irrigated. Every customer is deemed to have their irrigation system under
control at all times, to know the manner and extent of their water use and any runoff and
overspray, and to employ available alternatives to apply irrigation water in an efficient
manner;
4. Application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours
after measureable rainfall;
5. Washing cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles, equipment and machinery directly with
a hose not equipped with a hose -end shutoff nozzle;
6. Using water for nonrecycling water features;
7. Using water for single pass evaporative cooling systems for air conditioning in all
connections installed after July 1, 2001, unless required for health or safety reasons;
8. Using water for new nonrecirculating conveyor car wash systems; self - service car
wash spray wands shall emit no more than three gallons of water per minute;
9. Using water for new nonrecirculating industrial clothes washing systems;
10. Dedicated irrigation accounts exceeding the allocated water budget by more than
twenty percent in any billing period.
B. Pressure Regulation. A pressure - regulating valve shall be installed and maintained
by the consumer if static service pressure at the meter exceeds eighty pounds per square
inch. The pressure - regulating valve shall be located between the meter and the structure
valve, and set at not more than sixty pounds per square inch when measured at the
structure valve. This requirement may be waived if the consumer presents evidence
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satisfactory to the city that high pressure is necessary in the design and that no water will
be wasted as a result of high - pressure operation.
C. Swimming Pool and Spa Covers. Private outdoor swimming pools and spas are
to be covered during non - business hours or while not in use. Public outdoor
swimming pools and spas are to be covered if the swimming pool or spa is scheduled
to be unused for more than one day. A public pool that is closed for the season does
not require covering.
D. Exempt Water Uses. All water use associated with the operation and maintenance of
fire suppression equipment or employed by the city for water quality flushing and
sanitation purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Use of water
supplied by a private well or from properly authorized recycled water, gray water, or
rainwater catchment system is also exempt.
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