The Ripon City Council will take a first look at a water conservation plan.
An amendment to the ordinance will be brought before elected leaders at Tuesday’s meeting in the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.
In it is the add-on: “During drought conditions, the City Council may implement temporary water conservation measures and penalties by resolution.”
The change was based on Gov. Jerry Brown asking residents in the state to reduce water consumption by 20 percent.
And if they are notified they are wasting water and continue to do so, the city will install a water meter in the event they don’t have one. Unlike Manteca and other nearby cities not all of Ripon has water meters. The state, though, is requiring that all water users be on meters within the next 10 tears.
At a recent meeting, Public Works Director Ted Johnston mentioned the lack of surface water from lakes and reservoirs fed by rain and the melting snow pack and its affect on those communities who rely on this as their main source of water.
He noted that the City of Ripon uses ground water. Thus far, the water levels from the wells have not been affected by the drought. “This can change over time if the drought continues,” Johnston warned.
He said some of the surrounding communities have been taken on water conservation measures. This includes use of water for plants and lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, for even number addresses, and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for odd number addresses.
The agenda for the 7 p.m. open session also has:
u Those at the Jack Tone Golf Course requesting for funds for the purchase of a pump, motor and frequency drive totaling $19,500 from the Golf Course Capital Improvement Fund.
u A proclamation to the Women’s Center Youth and Family Services, proclaiming April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”
u A second reading of the sign ordinance.
u Ordinance options for waiving or reducing the fees for the fire district on the new substation currently under construction.
For more information, call Ripon City Hall at 209.599.2108 or log on to www.cityofripon.org.
