Petaluma council approves water restrictions

Pleased with Petaluma's water conservation progress but wanting more, City Council members unanimously approved stronger drought restrictions aimed at holding off even more stringent measures in the future.|

Pleased with Petaluma's water conservation progress but wanting more, City Council members unanimously approved stronger drought restrictions aimed at holding off even more stringent measures in the future.

'Our citizens have done a stellar job of heeding the call,' public works chief Dan St. John said.

Petaluma residents have reduced water consumption by 15 percent in the past six months.

While that beats the rates of many cities throughout the state, it is still below the goal of 20 percent reduction statewide.

The city passed a voluntary water-use reduction plan in March, but on Monday approved mandatory requirements, joining other cities and the state's emergency drought efforts.

The new restrictions include: no landscape irrigation with potable water between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.; no watering that causes runoff; washing vehicles, driveways or sidewalks only with hoses fitted with shut-off nozzles; and no fountains or decorative water features unless the water recirculates.

Enforcement will include contacting violators directly and offering education, with subsequent violations potentially leading to fines of $1,000 or shut-off of water service.

The city also will step up a public education campaign with bill inserts, signs around town, advertisements and social media. The city is encouraging city staff and residents to report water wasters.

Council members also extended a contract with the Petaluma nonprofit group Daily Acts for its water conservation and stormwater pollution-prevention campaign.

The vote approved a $70,000 expenditure through mid-2017 to continue the education activities Daily Acts has conducted for the city for the past four years.

You can reach Lori A. Carter at 762-7297 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @loriacarter.

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