HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 16-060 -conserve waterRESOLUTION NO. 16-060
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
URGING SARATOGA RESIDENTS TO CONSERVE WATER
WHEREAS, in response to current drought conditions, the Saratoga City Council adopted
Resolution No. 14-052 and 15-029 urging residents to reduce water usage by 30 percent, in response to
the Santa Clara Valley Water District's call for a 30 percent water conservation target, and mandated
water reductions put into place by Governor Jerry Brown and the State Water Resources Control Board;
and
WHEREAS, although efforts in California saved 13 billion gallons of water in 2015, and last
winter's El Nino weather provided healthier water supply conditions both locally and statewide,
compared to 2015, it will take several years of above average rainfall to end four years of drought; and
WHEREAS, on May 18, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an updated
emergency regulation that allows water retailers throughout the state to determine their conservation
standard based on local conditions and on June 14, 2016, the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of
Directors voted to reduce their call for water conservation from 30 percent to 20 percent in recognition of
the healthier local water supply conditions, and the San Jose Water Company supported the District's call
for conservation by amending their target from 30 percent to 20 percent; and
WHEREAS, Santa Clara County depends heavily on groundwater basins and as water levels in
the groundwater basins decreases, the risk of subsidence increases; and
WHEREAS, subsidence causes sinking, which can cause significant damage to canals, levees,
roadways, sewer or storm water systems, and can also lead to flooding or allow salt water to enter
aquifers; and
WHEREAS, Saratoga residents play a key role in water conservation and can save water by
taking advantage of Santa Clara Valley Water District rebates and services, such as rebates for high -
efficiency toilets, landscape conversion rebates, and irrigation equipment upgrade rebates that help
residents conserve more water;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Saratoga does hereby
urge Saratoga residents to proactively seek out opportunities to conserve water by 20 percent.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City
Council held on the 2nd day of November 2016 by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor E. Manny Cappello, Vice Mayor Emily Lo, Council Member Mary -Lynne
Bemald, Howard A. Miller, Rishi Kumar
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
TEST:
ry 1 othelio, City Clerk
DATE:
E. Manny Cappello, Mayor
11./3/20k4c)