STOCKTON, Calif. — From having designated days for lawn watering to requiring overall water reduction by 20%, new ordinances passed Tuesday by Stockton's City Council could bring changes or fines to some residents.
During their public meeting Tuesday night, Stockton City Council members voted unanimously to approve changes to the city's municipal code and declare a Stage Two water shortage.
The changes include introducing a lawn watering schedule, enforcing mandatory water reduction goals of 20%, and indefinitely prohibiting the watering of non-functioning turf in the city.
Written authorization is also now required from the city's Municipal Utilities Department in order to drain or refill a pool between June 1 and Oct. 1.
According to the City of Stockton, the changes and enforcement of the new ordinance begins Wednesday. Violators could face a fine or surcharge of $100 per day if they continue to break water conservation rules after an initial notice of violation is issued.
When to water your lawn
- Even number addresses: Sunday and Wednesday
- Odd number addresses: Tuesday and Saturday
- No street address: Sunday and Wednesday
- Exterior watering is prohibited between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- No exterior watering is allowed Monday, Thursday or Friday.
The water conservation changes in Stockton mirror regulations passed in other cities across the state as the west coast deals with a worsening drought.
As of the U.S. Drought Monitor's most recent update on July 5, most of San Joaquin County was under a level 3 extreme drought, including the city of Stockton.
The City of Stockton launched a webpage in an effort to educate and help residents conserve water. A separate website has also been set up by the city to allow people to report water wasting.
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