Antioch Council to consider water rationing rules, set public hearing for May 12, at Tuesday meeting
By Allen Payton
In response to Governor Jerry Brown’s April 1st Executive Order and the Contra Costa Water District’s recent decision on water rationing due to the severe drought California is experiencing, the Antioch City Council will consider implementing new rules and setting a required public hearing for adoption, at its regular meeting, Tuesday night, April 28.
The governor has mandated “a reduction in usage by 25% across the state with reductions proportionate to relative per capita 2013 water usage,” according to the staff report for the agenda item.
The staff report also states, May 12 is the final date for the city and all other water agencies in the state, to have a drought program in place. At the public hearing, scheduled for that night, the council will consider adopting mandatory water conservation measures.
The city’s focus will be on outdoor irrigation, and staff is recommending adding two new items each, to the lists of prohibited activities for residential customers and non-residential customers in Antioch.
The staff report further states, “Violations of prohibited activities are punishable by fines of up to $500 for each day in which the violation occurs.”
To view the complete council meeting agenda, click here.
The council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., following a special study session on parts of the budget at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street in downtown Antioch or viewed either on Comcast Channel 24 or via live streaming video on the city’s website at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.
Too bad that the mailer to Antioch’s 34,000 plus water accounts failed to mention that Antioch has Senior Pre-1914 Water Rights and that the Governor cannot order those with Senior Water Rights to do anything.
Nor did either the staff report or the mailer mention anything about the State reimburses Antioch a portion of the cost to purchase water from CCWD when the river water at Antioch’s intake becomes too saline.