REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to amend Resolution 21-8989, "Proclamation of a Local Emergency Due to Extreme Drought Conditions in the City of Santa Clara" to Restrict Outdoor Watering to a Maximum of Two (2) Days per Week to Address the Severe Drought Emergency.
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
California is in the third year of a drought and has had a record dry period for January and February 2022 with March seeing minimal amounts of rain as the climate continues to change. Many of the State's reservoirs are below average levels and as a result the State Water Project is projected to substantially reduce anticipated deliveries to wholesale agencies like Valley Water. In response to the Governor's Order of March 28, 2022 and the extreme and expanding drought conditions and in recognition of actions taken by the City's water supply partners, the City Manager, in her role as Director of Emergency Services, acted on July 12, 2021 to proclaim that the City of Santa Clara was in emergency drought conditions. Section 2.140.060 of the City Municipal Code requires that the City Council take action within seven (7) days to ratify such action. Council took action on July 13, 2021 to approve the emergency declaration and to implement actions that encourage and achieve water conservation as outlined in Stage 2 of the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan approved on June 22, 2021, as part of the City's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.
DISCUSSION
The City Water & Sewer Utilities Department proposes to reduce the current three (3) days per week outdoor watering restriction to two (2) days per week in accordance with Stage 2 of the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan to further reduce City water use. The reduction of watering days will assist with meeting our conservation goals to reduce water consumption by 15%.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" within th...
Click here for full text