San Carlos Enacts Emergency Drought Ordinance.

February 12, 2015

Dripping taps

Official Drought Declaration.

Back in November 2014, the City Council passed Ordinance 1479, which gave the City tools for the enforcement of water restrictions if/when a declaration of drought emergency is declared. This means that “non-essential” uses of water in San Carlos would become unlawful during the declaration period, and financial penalties would be enforced by the City.  It mirrors the ordinances that many other communities around the Bay Area already have in place, or will soon.

Well San Carlos residents, that day has come.  On Monday, February 9, 2015, the City Council voted to declare a state of drought emergency in San Carlos.  The decision came down even though we saw ample rain in December 2014, and most recently just this past week.  But January 2015 was the driest and hottest year the Bay Area has ever recorded, and marks the fourth consecutive year of drought in California. According to the news release, local water storage is still only 58% of its maximum capacity.

The Penalty for Water Waste.

If you are caught wasting water after the commencement of the declaration period, which will take effect on 5/15/2015, it's going to cost you some money. San Carlos Municipal Code Chapter 1.20 outlines the penalties for violations of Ordinance 1479:

  • $100 for the first violation;
  • $200 for the second violation within the same year;
  • $500 for each additional violation within the same year;
  • For each day a violator continues the unlawful action, he or she is guilty of a separate offense.

Curious about what you can and cannot do with water this summer?  You can read the ordinance and see a complete list of all nonessential water uses by clicking the following link:  San Carlos Ordinance 1479.

Spoiler Alert:  You're probably going to have to keep the Slip ‘n Slide packed away this summer…

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