LB Water Comm'n Votes Unanimously To Declare Stage TWO Water Supply Shortage, Will Mean Two-Day-Per-Week-Watering Schedule Thru Summer; New Watering Days Will be TUESDAYS and SATURDAYS But Effective Date Not Yet Indicated

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(May 11, 2015, updated 12:50 p.m. from breaking 9:55 a.m.) -- As webcast LIVE by LBREPORT.com (technical facilities courtesy WebCastLongBeach), at a special meeting this morning (May 11), LB's Water Comm'n voted unanimously to declare a Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage that will mean means two-day-restrictions on watering year round.

Water Dept. staff indicated that the two designated watering days for landscape will become TUESDAYS and SATURDAYS although an effective date for this wasn't immediately stated. [UDPATE: The effective date will be five dates following print publication of a notice, which is expected in the next few days.] These are on top of already existing Stage 1 restrictions (enumerated below.)

Water Dept. staff also indicated that it's "hopeful" [staff's term] that the CA Water Resources Control Board will ultimately lower the LB Water Dept's required water consumption reduction from 16% to 12%.

LBREPORT.com has ON-DEMAND VIDEO below. Ambient audio conditions were difficult; turn your computer sound/speakers up; we'll try to have enhanced audio up in the coming hours.

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Declaration of a Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage enables the Water Dept. to impose additional measures ("other prohibited uses as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion") although none were immediately described. Staff also didn't recommend an increase in water rates "by an amount necessary to offset lost revenue, as determined by the Board, but not to exceed 25% above the pre-shortage rate"...although that remains a legal option in the future which could be implemented under the Board's Stage 2 declaration.

The new Stage 2 restrictions (two day watering), plus the already existing Stage 1 restrictions. are now as follows:

Water restrictions in effect:

Residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape 10 minutes per station per watering day, or 20 minutes if using water-efficient rotating nozzles
Residents and businesses can only irrigate landscape before 9am or after 4pm
Residents cannot fill swimming pools and spas with potable water
Restaurants cannot serve water to customers without the customer requesting it
Residents and businesses cannot irrigate the landscape beyond saturation, causing significant runoff
Residents and businesses cannot hose down hardscape with a hose, unless using a pressurized cleaning device
Residents cannot wash a vehicle with a hose unless it has a water shut-off nozzle or device attached to the hose
Residents and businesses cannot allow the wasting of water due to breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the plumbing or distribution system
Hotels and motels must post signs to notify patrons they can choose not to have linens and towels washed daily

Pressed by Boardmember (and former City Attorney) Bob Shannon on what the Water Dept. would do if LB's conservation measures fell short and if Sac'to fined the Water Dept. up to $10,000 per day, Water Dept. staff indicated it believes the Department's reserves would be sufficient to cover the fines.

Boardmember Shannon also indicated that at a future meeting, he'd like to re-visit the 2011 Water Conservation plan that presently only indicates unspecified "additional measures" that the Water Dept. might take under Stage 2 or Stage 3 Water Supply Shortages. What are they, Boardmember Shannon sought to learn (and will apparently be discussed at a future meeting.)

Water Dept. staff indicated it believes plans for enhanced community outreach, plus warnings to high water consumers before imposing its own fines, should be sufficient to deliver required conservation levels (especially if reduced from 16% to 12%.)

Boardmember Gloria Cordero suggested that the Water Dept. take a more "global" approach, engaging efforts by the City Council as well as the Long Beach Unified School District, a suggestion to which staff agreed.

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