Despite a drought that has wracked much of California, city residents in Stanislaus County could see little change in outdoor watering rules this year.
Officials surveyed by The Modesto Bee last week said they likely can get by with the rules already in place, including bans everywhere on watering in the afternoon. A few of the nine cities will not make final decisions until later in spring, but for now, no cuts have been ordered.
How could this be, at a time when some parts of the San Joaquin Valley have zero water for growing crops and others have reduced supplies?
Officials said groundwater, the main source for the cities, is in fairly decent shape, thanks in part to recharge from wet years that preceded the current three-year drought. They also cite water meters, which are being phased in under state law and tend to cut demand by about 20 percent.
And then there are the permanent rules, enacted in response to previous droughts and left in place even in wet years. Most cities limit watering to a few days a week, and ban wasteful practices such as washing a car without a shutoff valve on the hose. Violators can be fined, but warnings and educational programs get the message across, too.
The take-home for residents? “Continue to conserve water,” said Juan Tejeda, water conservation specialist for the city of Modesto. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
What they’re doing won’t be terribly hard in the next several days: Last week’s storms have delayed the need for watering, and more rain could be on the way.
Careful water use in the cities eases pressure on aquifers that also supply rural domestic wells and much of the irrigation water for farms. And it reduces the risk for everyone in case 2015 is dry – or we get something like the six-year drought from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Modesto depends on the Tuolumne River for part of its supply, which will be reduced this year in proportion to the cuts for farmers in the Modesto Irrigation District. Conservation by city residents could help maintain a carryover in Don Pedro Reservoir for next year.
Modesto resident Velda Lowe said the not-so-dire outlook for city water should not mean backing off on efforts to save. “Seeing the dams and how short of water they are, this rain isn’t going to do much good,” she said.
Lowe was among the readers who responded to a Bee request for ideas on reducing outdoor water use. She suggests rebates for people who take out lawns in favor of landscaping that’s less thirsty.
Jim Holden of Modesto uses a pair of 50-gallon containers to catch rain from his roof for reuse outdoors. He also saves water that condenses from his air conditioner – as much as 2 gallons a day. He, too, said conservation must go on.
“Nature cannot conserve water, but we are the ones that can use what nature provides in a wise manner,” he said.
The cities enacted the permanent rules because of the climate in Stanislaus County. Storms blow in from fall to spring, abundantly in some years, not so much in others. Lawns and farm fields make it through the hot, dry summer with water stored in aquifers and reservoirs.
Tejeda said Modesto has enough groundwater this year to withstand the expected reduction from MID. This system also supplies Salida, Grayson. Empire, Del Rio, Waterford, Hickman and small parts of Turlock and Ceres. Rules for Modesto would apply to them, too.
Turlock, which relies entirely on wells, could tighten the rules later in the year if agricultural pumping in the region stresses the city supply, said Michael Cooke, director of municipal services. That could mean fewer hours in each watering day, or fewer watering days each week.
Ceres has seen a 37 percent drop in per capita water use over the past four years thanks to meters and conservation, said Jeremy Damas, water superintendent and deputy public works director. Tighter rules are always possible, such as allowing two watering days a week instead of three, but nothing is in the offing, he said.
Cities typically issue warnings if violations are seen by staff members or residents who file complaints. People who do not comply can be fined.
Patterson’s fines are typical of the region: $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second, $100 for a third. “Our community is really good about sticking by our rules,” said Maria Encinas, water conservation coordinator and management analyst for the city. “We haven’t had to fine anyone yet.”
Many of the violations around the county happen on hot summer afternoons, but officials said a few involved automatic watering systems that turned on amid last week’s storms.
“With the rain, residents are able to turn their sprinkler systems off and utilize the water from the heavens,” Damas said.
Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at jholland@modbee.com or (209) 578-2385.
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