State Declares a Drought Emergency - City Declares Level 2 Water Supply Shortage
We’ve been here before, and we are here once again. Last month, State Officials declared a statewide Drought Emergency, urging all Californians to conserve water, and for water agencies across the State to take water conservation measures. In response to this, the City Council, which acts as the Board of Directors for the Pico Rivera Water Authority, declared a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage and enacted mandatory watering measures for residents who are customers of the Pico Rivera Water Authority.
Now in effect, are watering schedules for residents to follow throughout the year until further notice. From the months of April to October, residents will follow a two-day water schedule. Residents who have even number addresses are able to water on Monday and Wednesday, while residents with odd number addresses are able to water on Tuesday and Thursday. A one-day watering schedule will go into effect from November through March. Residents with even addresses can water on Tuesday, and residents with odd addresses can water on Thursday. Residents are advised to keep the watering brief and to approximately five minutes per station.
Residents who use a sprinkler system are asked to run their sprinklers before 8:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. to minimize water evaporation and to maximize the water reaching lawns and plants to keep them healthy. Weekend irrigation will be prohibited.
In addition to the watering schedule, mandates on swimming pools and spas were included as part of the Level 2 Water Supply Shortage. Residents, for the time being, will only be allowed to refill pools or spas of any depth that lost water due to natural evaporation up to one foot in depth. Pools and spas that need initial filling will be prohibited. The filling of ornamental ponds will also be prohibited unless it sustains existing aquatic life.
“While we are in a good place as far as our water supply, it’s better to act now than later,” said City Manager Steve Carmona. “We will do our part, we hope our residents will do their part to ensure we have an abundant supply of potable for the foreseeable future.”
Water conservation continues to be a priority of the City as the State mandates Water Conservation efforts. Throughout the City, there are several landscaped medians and park landscapes that are planted with drought-tolerant plants to reduce the need for watering. Reclaimed water is used to irrigate the grass at Smith Park, Rio Hondo Park, and the Golf Course, as well as the medians on Beverly Boulevard to conserving drinking water supplies.
City crews continue to inspect and repair broken sprinkler heads in street medians throughout the community to eliminate leaks and overspray. Residents are encouraged to continue to report excessive runoff and broken sprinkler heads by using the service request form on the City’s website at pico-rivera.org or by calling 562.801.4415.
It’s important to note that the restrictions announced are for residents who are customers of the Pico Rivera Water Authority. Residents who are customers of the Pico Water District may follow a similar plan as outlined by the Pico Water District Board. For more information on water restrictions for the Pico Water District or San Gabriel Valley Water Company, call the following phone numbers: Pico Water District – 562.692.3756 San Gabriel Valley Water Company – 562.699.1041
For more information about the water restrictions for the Pico Rivera
Water Authority, call 562.801.4330.
