A less restrictive outdoor watering scheduled has been approved by the city council. The move comes in light of the State Water Resources Control Board removing mandatory water conservation rates for California municipalities and other water providers.
Until council approval last week, the City of Corcoran was in a stage 2 conservation mode, with watering allowed just two days per week. During their Tuesday, July 12 meeting, the council opted to move to a stage 1 conservation rate. This will allow watering to take place three times per week for residential users.
The community is still being held to a state-established formula for water conservation. Joe Faulkner, the city’s public works superintendent, told the council that the formula stipulated by the state calls for a 20 percent reduction in water use compared to the base year of 2013.
That’s far better than the initial 36 percent savings the city was required to meet when the mandatory conservation regulations were first put in place two years ago. Last year, the mandatory conservation mark was lowered to 32 percent.
Then, in a complete reversal, the water resources board completely pulled away from the established percentages in May of this year.
Mayor Jerry Robertson favored getting rid of an outdoor watering schedule altogether.
“I think our residents have become accustomed to conserving water,” he said. “I think they should be able to water whenever they want, so long as they are paying attention and continuing to make conservation efforts.”
He noted that many senior citizens have approached him regarding the difficulty of watering on such a tight schedule.
“Many of our residents do not have sprinkler or irrigation systems and it’s a lot of work for them to adequately water their properties with the current time limits our ordinance imposes,” he said.
Local resident Dennis Tristao cautioned the council to consider additional factors in making their decision. He noted that many state grants will take into consideration, when applying points to grant applications, what types of conservation ordinances are in place.
In the end, although Robertson’s comments got some sympathy, the council voted 3-2 for a three-day watering schedule. Councilman Sid Palmerin voted with Robertson’s failed attempt. The watering schedule will consist of the following:
Residential and commercial addresses ending in even numbers may water Monday, Wednesday and Sunday;
–Residential and commercial addresses ending in odd numbers can water Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday;
–Schools may irrigate Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday or by agreement with the city;
–Parks may be watered Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or by agreement with the city;
–Churches may water Monday, Wednesday and Fridays
Multi-family residential watering can take place Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Watering times are still limited. Watering can take place prior to 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on designated watering days.
