California is experiencing its fourth year of drought, with 2012-2015 being some of the driest years on record. The state water board has declared a drought emergency and issued mandates for water conservation across three categories: everyone, businesses, and water agencies. For everyone, outdoor water use is prohibited for activities like washing sidewalks and watering during/after rain. Businesses must only serve water upon request and hotels/motels must offer optional towel/linen washing. Water agencies are required to limit outdoor irrigation times and days, notify customers of leaks, and report on compliance.

1. Drought Condition
Updates & Mandates
Joe Tagliaboschi, Public Works Director
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3. Current Drought Status
California is currently in the fourth year of drought.
Here is some background:
• 2012 was below normal.
• 2013 was the driest year in recorded history for much of California.
• 2014 was the third driest year in 119 years of records.
• 2015 continues the trend.
• State Water Board- declares emergency regulations for drought conditions
on March 17, 2015.
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4. Current Drought Status
• As of March 3, 2015 The Sacramento Region is 87% of average.
• Most of the precipitation has been rain- Northern Sierra water content is
extremely low, at 16% average.
• Similarly, Central and Southern Sierra –is at 20% and 21%.
• Basins and groundwater- have been filling the gap; as a result they are now
at historically low levels.
• On January 23, 2015 – The State Water Board issued a Notice of Surface
Water Shortage and Potential for Curtailment of Water Right Diversions.
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6. New Requirements and Mandates
Three Categories- Everyone, Business, Water Agencies
Prohibitions for Everyone:
– Potable water to wash sidewalks & driveways
– Runoff when irrigating with potable water
– Hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars
– Potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate
the water
– Outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable
precipitation

7. Requirements for Business
• Restaurants and other food service
establishments can only serve water to
customers on request.
• Hotels and Motels must provide guests with the
option to not have towels and linens laundered
daily.
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8. Water Agency Requirements
• Impose restrictions on outdoor irrigation
• No irrigation between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM.
• Irrigation limited to two (2) days a week maximum.
• Agencies must notify customers about leaks that are within the
customer's control.
• Agencies must report on compliance and enforcement.
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