Water flows out of a drinking fountain at Calbrisas Park at California Avenue and Burnett Street in Signal Hill. The City has imposed a Level 1 water-supply shortage condition and has enforced various water-use restrictions, such as limiting all watering, including at city parks, to Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The restrictions come as the State passed strict, non-voluntary water-use regulations for cities to impose because of the ongoing drought in California.
-Staff Writer-
Signal Hill residents wanting to water their lawns and outdoor vegetation with potable water are allowed to do so only three days per week— Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays— and not between 9am and 4pm, or face fines as high as $500 for repeated violations.
Signal Hill city staff gave an update on the City’s water-use restrictions during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, about a month after the State Water Resources Control Board adopted new, stringent water regulations on July 15 to deal with the worst drought in recorded state history.
During the meeting, the City Council voted unanimously (4-0) to intensify public outreach efforts to inform residents about the city and the state water restrictions and various water-conservation programs and rebates available in the area. Councilmember Tina Hansen was absent.
Signal Hill was one of the first cities in California to impose water-use restrictions this year, declaring a Level 1 water-shortage emergency condition on May 20, 2014, necessitating a 10-percent reduction in water usage. Other cities have also imposed their own water restrictions, including nearby Long Beach.
Steve Myrter, Signal Hill’s director of public works, said that Signal Hill doesn’t yet plan to move to a Level 2 water-shortage condition, which would reduce watering to only two days per week to facilitate a 20-percent reduction in water use, but, if the drought persists, more restrictions may be imposed, he said, adding that 80 percent of the state is now in “extreme” drought conditions while temperatures are also higher than ever recorded in state history.
The City’s most stringent Level 3 water-supply condition would mean the City and residents would be completely prohibited from watering or irrigating any lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water.
“Of course, the concern is what’s next,” Myrter said. “Is this [drought] going to break next year? If it doesn’t break next year, there will be more extreme measures that will have to be taken.”
In response to the last drought in 2008, Signal Hill was able to reduce its water demand by 20 percent (from the 2008 baseline to 2011) after imposing the same Level 1 water-supply shortage condition in 2009, Myrter noted.
However, city staff attribute some of this decrease to “an unusually wet rainy season in 2011″ that effectively ended the 2008 drought and a persistent slowing of the overall economy as a result of the Great Recession.
Current data for Signal Hill show a 9-percent decline in annual water use from the 2008 baseline year to Fiscal Year 2014. When compared to 2000, the annual citywide water demand has dropped 2.5 percent despite a 21-percent growth in population, and over 800,000 square feet of new commercial/industrial development, city staff notes.
The City’s Level 1 water restrictions prohibit residents from: watering outdoor landscapes with potable water that causes runoff to adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walkways, roadways, parking lots or structures; using a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use; applying potable water to driveways and sidewalks; and using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
Puddles of water appear after the grass at Calbrisas Park in Signal Hill was watered by sprinklers early in the morning Thursday. The City has declared a Level 1 water-supply shortage and has limited all watering of outside landscaping throughout the city to three days per week because of the continuing California drought.
Myrter said large cities with 3,000 meters of water or more that are called “urban” water providers are able to impose stricter regulations under the State’s restrictions. Signal Hill, however, is considered a “non-urban” water provider, he said, however, Myrter added that the City’s restriction mirror those used for larger cities.
“The major drive of the new state regulations is that it’s no longer a voluntary process,” Myrter said.
In Signal Hill, the City is enforcing its water-use restrictions through a four-step process within a 12-month period, first by issuing a written warning delivered to the suspected violator via certified mail. A second violation calls for a $100 fine while a third violation requires a $250 fine and subsequent violations carry a $500 fine.
Myrter said the City is currently not proactively looking for violators or “water wasters” and is relying mostly on residents and complaints. Within the last six months, the City has received 30 complaints of violations, he said. Myrter added that the City is following its own water-conservation measures for city facilities and parks, which make up 24 acres. At the request of Councilmember Lori Woods, Myrter said he would have staff look into possibly limiting watering at some parks to two days per week. In addition, Woods suggested the City buy hose nozzles in bulk for residents to purchase at a discount.
The Council noted that there are rebates and other conservation programs available through the Municipal Water District and Central Basin Municipal Water District.
For a full list of Signal Hill’s water-use restrictions and information on water-conservation measures and rebates, visit cityofsignalhill.org .
To report water wasters, call the City’s water-conservation hotline at (562) 989-7350.
Other Council highlights:
Presentations and Introductions Signal Hill Police Chief Michael Langston introduced Sara Pol-Lim, executive director of the United Cambodian Community, who spoke about the organization. Staff presented a video on the City’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Picnic that took place on June 21. Additionally, Derek Zondervan, project engineer for the Sanitation District of Los Angeles County, provided an overview on the County’s $3.8-million project to install “force-main” underground sewage lines along a portion of Willow Street from Dawson to Orange avenues. The bulk of the project, which is expected to close at least one eastbound traffic lane during work hours, is expected to begin in November.
Housing-related zoning The Council voted unanimously (4-0) to approve a zoning-ordinance amendment regarding definitions and use classifications for various “special needs” housing in accordance with state mandates. The ordinance amendments were required as part of the City’s updated Housing Element, which was certified by the State in March.
Gateway Water Management Authority The Council received and filed a report on the Gateway Water Management Authority, of which the City is a founding member. The authority consists of 24 cities, including the Signal Hill and Long Beach water departments.
Strategic Plan Update meeting The Council voted unanimously (4-0) to allocate $2,760 for a third community meeting for obtaining public input on the City’s five-year Strategic Plan Update. The additional meeting is scheduled at Councilmember Woods’s request to receive more input from the business community and because discussions during previous meetings were impacted by debate over Measure U.
Affordable-housing project The Council voted unanimously (4-0) to approve allocating an additional $54,850 for the demolition of City-owned property, 1456 Hill St. and 2170 Gundry Ave., to make way for a new affordable-housing project. The demolition of the buildings, to be carried out by 5M Construction, will clear a portion of a site planned for the affordable housing, which is being developed by Meta Housing Corporation.
The next Signal Hill Council meeting is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Council Chamber.
