Turlock might tighten watering rules

Residents could water outside just twice a week under rules that city leaders will consider next week.

The City Council could vote Tuesday evening to tighten the rules in response to a drought now in its fourth year.

Homes with even-numbered addresses could irrigate lawns and other landscaping only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Odd-numbered homes could do it on Wednesdays and Sundays. In better times, both sides of the street get three watering days per week.

“With the lack of rain and the additional measures the state is taking, we want to do our part,” said Garner Reynolds, regulatory affairs manager for the city.

He was referring to the State Water Resources Control Board’s plan to cut urban consumption by 25 percent compared with 2013. The board has refined the proposal to require 35 percent in Turlock and many other Central Valley cities, and as little as 10 percent in some places.

Reynolds said Turlock will seek a lower level by demonstrating that it has saved more water since 2013 than state figures show.

Under the proposal, weekday watering must be done before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m. to reduce evaporation. Weekend use would be from midnight to noon. Drip irrigation systems, which are more efficient than sprinklers, would be exempt.

Turlock also would require twice-weekly watering, at most, for “large commercial landscapes” and its own parks.

The city relies entirely on wells for its water. Reynolds said the aquifer has been stable over the past year but still is down about 15 feet from the average level. The city has lost two wells because of water-quality standards, but the other 22 appear to be OK, he said.

Mayor Gary Soiseth said the drought highlights the need to add surface water to the supply. The city is a partner in a possible project that would treat Tuolumne River water for Turlock, Ceres and south Modesto.

The mayor said the city also should work with several partners – including the Turlock Unified School District and California State University, Stanislaus – to save water.

“I’m convinced that the residents of Turlock will be able to help meet our state conservation goals,” he said.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Turlock might tighten watering rules."