Antioch Council adopts new drought-water conservation policies, daily fines
By John Crowder
In response to the current drought, new water conservation measures and penalties were adopted by the Antioch City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, May 12.
According to a staff report submitted by Director of Public Works Ron Bernal, the recommended action was necessary, “In order to meet the requirements of recent restrictions placed on water agencies by Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order B-29-15, and to comply with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Emergency Regulations for Drought Emergency Water Conservation.”
Noting that failure to take action could result in the City paying fines of up to $10,000 per day, Bernal outlined some of the prohibitions for residential water users, including:
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Watering of outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excessive runoff
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Watering of outdoor landscapes up to 48 hours after measurable rainfall
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Watering of outdoor landscapes more than three days per week
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Watering of outdoor landscapes during the daylight hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Washing paved or other hard-surfaced areas
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Use of water for non-recirculating decorative fountains
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Using a hose without an automatic shutoff nozzle
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Failing to repair a controllable leak of water
Penalties for failure to comply with these, and other prohibitions for non-residential water users, range from $100 per day for the first offense and up to $500 per day for the third.
Only one comment was submitted by an Antioch resident opposing the proposed action, and it was read by Mayor Wade Harper, who then closed the public hearing. With nobody else from the public requesting to speak on the matter, a motion was passed on a 5-0 vote.
