Ripon is going to a one-day watering schedule.
Last week, the Ripon City Council approved the resolution to modify the current water conservation ordinance, reducing the three-day landscape irrigation to just one day a week – Saturday or Sunday – now through February.
“I don’t know if one day will do it,” Mayor Leo Zuber said. “But we have to do something or we will be nailed by the state.”
He’s referencing the City of Ripon being non-compliant with the state mandate of 36 percent reduction to all cities. Ripon’s percentage of reduction – the comparison here is the 2013 water level figures – has dwindling down each month since June.
“In October, we had a 22 percent decrease,” Public Works Director Ted Johnston said. “That’s pretty much the same as September (21.9 percent) but not enough to brag about.”
In order to get the word out, notices on the one-day watering day change were scheduled to be placed on the receptacles during trash pick-up days, according to Johnston.
He also touched briefly on the ground water. Ripon has 10 wells of potable and non-potable, which are being closely monitored on a weekly basis. Johnson pointed out the aquifer – an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, gravel, sand or silt – vary throughout town.
“In drought years, there’s a decrease in levels and no recharge (of water),” Johnston said.
That decrease is minimal, he said, adding: “We’re still in good shape.”
Elected leaders, meanwhile, believe that overwatering on those designated days could be more of the problem. “This (water conservation) should have worked with three days,” Zuber said.
He and his colleague Dean Uecker have since shut off their irrigation system timers. They’re urging folks to do likewise during the fall and winter months.
Ripon has already received a notice of violation from the state for being out of compliant with the 36 percent water reduction mandate. Johnston indicated that the city will submit the one-day water use resolution to the state as part of the efforts to rectify the matter.
Council is looking to have staff revisit this ordinance in February. By then, the city could have water meters installed at all homes.
“We’re 25 percent complete. We could have it done by then if we stay on track,” Engineering Supervisor James Pease added.