Despite near average rainfall in much of Northern California this past winter, 60 percent of the state remains in severe drought. Groundwater basins and many reservoirs are badly depleted as the state’s drought continues into a sixth year.
On May 9, 2016, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued Executive Order B-37-16, requiring the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to adjust its emergency water conservation regulation through the end of January 2017 in recognition of the differing water supply conditions across the state. The SWRCB is requiring cities in California to take action, making some of the regulatory conservation requirements permanent. The revised regulation was adopted by the SWRCB on May 18.
On June 21, 2016 the City of Modesto submitted projections and calculations to the SWRCB requiring an enforceable minimum conservation standard of 20% reduction versus 2013. To ensure we meet the 20% requirement, the new City of Modesto conservation target will be 25% through January 2017. The previous conservation mandate was 33%. The City believes that without any changes to the current water conservation restrictions and the continued cooperation of the community, the new 25% reduction target will be achieved.
Accordingly, beginning November 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017, Stage IIA City Drought requirements are in effect allowing on 1 day a week outdoor watering. Odd-numbered addresses water Sunday and Even-numbered addresses water Saturday. Outdoor water use remains prohibited from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
For additional information about Water Conservation please visit the City of Modesto website: http://modestogov.com/905/Water-Conservation
