Politics & Government

Water Conservation Ordinance Revision on Tuesday's City Council Agenda

The ordinance, which mandates a 20 percent reduction in water use, could be amended to give residents seasonal summer and winter targets for cutting use.

The Sierra Madre City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to amend the city's recently passed mandatory water conservation ordinance to make it easier for residents to make the required cuts in water usage the ordinance currently mandates.

The initial restrictions passed in May mandate that residents make a 20 percent usage cut or face fines, a response to a dry winter that resulted in a reduction of local water sources that Sierra Madre relies on.
The new amendment would alter the usage cuts to factor in a summer target and a winter target, recognizing that water usage tends to be much higher during the dry months.

The amended ordinance would also remove a penalty provision that would have allowed the city to install a water flow restrictor on the home of any resident who had violated the ordinance more than twice.

The summer target would be based on past usage during the July, September and November billing cycles for residents who get their bills in those cycles, and August, October and December for those who get their bills in those months.

The winter target would be based on usage during the winter and Spring months.

Finally, the city will also discuss authorizing the purchase of imported water.

The city initially passed the ordinance in May.  After receiving some negative input about the measure, the city scheduled another hearing to get public feedback about the ordinance

The meeting will be at Tuesday at 6:30 at Sierra Madre City Hall.  The staff report on the amendements can be viewed here.



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