Agenda Item Wording:
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Water Conservation - Stage 2 - Consider reauthorization of Stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance and adopt Resolution 2026-15.
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Agenda Date: 03/16/2026
Prepared by: Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director nick.bartsch@visalia.gov, 713-4052
Department Recommendation: Due to persistent and alternating dry and wet years in the Central Valley, it is the recommendation of staff to re-authorize Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance by Resolution 2026-15 with the understanding that this could change based on California Water Service taking over the process for meeting the California state conservation requirements later this year.
Summary:
The City implemented Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance in March of 2021 and has re-authorized it annually since that time. Stage 2 of the Ordinance is characterized by restrictions on outdoor water use. Restrictions include reduction of total watering days per week from 3 days per week to 2 days per week as compared to Stage 1, and a complete elimination of irrigation of ornamental turf grasses in the months of December, January, and February. Additional rules and regulations can be found in Section 13.20.070.B. of the attached Ordinance. The varying stages of the Ordinance were intended to reduce the outdoor use of water resources available to the City of Visalia (City), which in turn reduce the overall consumption of water resources and reduce the negative impacts of overdrafts.
As a groundwater reliant municipality, the City derives its water supply almost exclusively from the underground aquifer. When water resources are extracted from the underground aquifer more quickly than they can be replaced, it is considered overdraft and can have multiple negative impacts associated with it. The City is particularly vulnerable to groundwater depletion, subsidence, and impacted groundwater quality. The most recent groundwater level measurement by California Water Service reported the depth to groundwater at 138 feet which is approximately 50 feet lower than twenty years ago, in 2006.
Background Discussion:
In the western United States, particularly in California, alternating cycles of drought and heavy precipitation are typical. Tulare County specifically has observed record years of drought and saw a record low of precipitation in Water Year 2021 (October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021). As a result, the City Council voted to move into Stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance), “Water Alert”. As per the ordinance, “Stage 2 shall terminate one year after implementation unless reauthorized by the City Council by resolution.” Stage 2 was then re-authorized by the City Council on April 4, 2022, March 20, 2023, March 4, 2024, & March 3, 2025, due to persistent drought conditions.
The City has monitored its groundwater levels since the mid-1900s. Over the course of the last 70 years, a significant decrease in groundwater elevation has been observed in the underlying aquifer beneath the City. The lowering groundwater table has been attributed to overdraft. Of the many efforts of the city and surrounding agencies to reduce groundwater consumption, limiting irrigation days for Visalia residents has been one way the City has been able to reduce its overall consumption.
The City has also taken efforts to manage its water resources in a responsible and effective manner. One way of maximizing the utility of water extracted from the aquifer is to recycle all sewage water and exchange this tertiary water for clean supplemental surface water. However, the City is unable to re-capture most of the water used outdoors, as this water is eventually returned into the atmosphere where it is carried beyond the subbasin where it can no longer benefit the areas within city limits. Because the City knows how much water is used indoors by residents of the City, staff can also calculate the amount of water used outdoors by comparing the amount of water extracted and the amount of water returned to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. In 2025, Visalia residents used approximately 50% of the total water produced to irrigate ornamental landscapes, down slightly from 53% in 2024, matching 50% in 2023, and down from 57% in 2022. These levels often vary for a variety of reasons, but especially the amount of rainfall and when it occurs. Because water used outdoors for the purposes of landscape irrigation is considered irrecoverable, it is crucial that the City continues to implement key water conservation policies and programs to continue to reduce water waste and improve water use efficiency.
The City’s Division of Water Conservation recognizes that while Water Year 2023 produced significantly more precipitation than in years prior, Water Years 2024 and 2025 saw near, to slightly below, average precipitation. Despite early rains at the beginning of this season, the current 2026 Water Year has also seen slightly below average precipitation totals thus far. This begins to show another example of historically alternating cycles of drought and heavy participation. While conditions during water years can vary, recent years have been primarily below average, and there continues to be a concern that alternating between Water Conservation Stages too drastically, or too often, can lead to confusion of appropriate watering days and regulation. Finally, the City is part of the Kaweah Sub-Basin, which is a severely over-drafted basin, and must meet strict State water regulations. Therefore, it is believed that a less restrictive stage of the Water Conservation Ordinance should only be adopted when annual precipitation demonstrates a more stable pattern, and conditions of the chronically lowering groundwater table improve.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: N/A
Prior Council Action:
• March, 2025, March 2024, March 2023 and April 2022- Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance was reauthorized by the City Council by recommendation of Staff.
• March 2021 - Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance was implemented, by recommendation of Staff.
• July 2020 - City Council approved a transition to Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance to take effect in March of 2021.
• October 2019 - City Council approved minor amendments to the Water Conservation Ordinance.
• August 2017 - City Council approved a transition into Stage 1 of the Water Conservation Ordinance.
• April 2017 - Reauthorization of Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance.
• May 2016 - The City Council adopted the new Water Conservation Ordinance and reimplementation of Stage 2.
• June 2015 - Adoption of the revised Water Conservation Ordinance and implementation of Stage 2.
Alternatives: City Council may choose to take no action on this item, consequentially reverting the City of Visalia back to Stage 1 of the Water Conservation Ordinance.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
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I move to adopt Resolution 2026-15 reauthorizing Stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 03/16/2026
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Water Conservation Ordinance
3. Water Table Chart
4. Cal Water - Water Conservation - Stage 2 - Letter of Support - 2026
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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