As Water Crisis Worsens, City Council Authorizes Level 2 Water Shortage Restrictions

Facing new State mandates and restrictions from a major water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District, the Pasadena City Council approved Level 2 Water Shortage Plan restrictions in its Monday night meeting.

Pasadena’s Level 2 Water Shortage Plan, under City ordinance Chapter 13.10, limits outdoor watering to two days per week during spring and summer, and one day per week during fall and winter. The plan requires water leaks to be fixed within 48 hours and prohibits the filling of ornamental lakes and ponds.

The plan also authorizes fines for repeat offenders which can be up to $500 per violation for residential customers and up to $1,000 per violation for all non-residential accounts.

“All of us know by now that California is confronting an unprecedented challenge to our water supply. The Governor and state agencies are mandating draconian water-use reductions which we will be hard-pressed to achieve,” Mayor Terry Tornek said before the vote.

“The City Council will undertake a serious dialogue with the public to discuss various methods to achieve these savings. If all of us work together to reform current practices, we can meet our goals while maintaining our quality of life,” Mayor Tornek said.

The City had been operating on a Level 1 declaration since July 28, 2014 that limits outdoor watering to three days in spring and summer and one day in fall and winter.

More information on Pasadena’s water restrictions is available online at www.PWPweb.com/WaterWaste.

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