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 2025-06.
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Deadline for Action: 3/3/2025
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number: Nick Bartsch, (559) 713-4052
Department Recommendation:
Due to persistent and alternating dry and wet years in the Central Valley, it is the recommendation of staff, with the support of California Water Service, to re-authorize Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance through the adoption of Resolution 2025-06.
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 experienced 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, on March 20, 2023, and on March 4, 2024, due to persistent drought conditions.
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 reduces the overall consumption of water r...
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