SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND THE DROUGHT : Despite Downpour, Sierra Madre OKs Limits on Water Use

Even as rain was falling outside its meeting, the Sierra Madre City Council adopted an emergency water conservation ordinance Tuesday that calls for residents to immediately reduce their water use or face stiff penalties.

The plan will be implemented in phases based on water availability, said City Administrator James E. McRea. To be put into effect Monday is a mandatory 20% cutback of usage compared with 1989 rates, he said.

Other prohibitions are washing sidewalks, patios and driveways with a hose; serving water in restaurants unless requested; water in decorative fountains except with a recycling system, and watering lawns between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The impact of the March rains will not be known until late April, McRea said.

First- and second-time violators of the new rules will be subject to fines, while third-time violators may have water restrictors installed. Residents may eventually be required to curtail their water use by 36%. The council also approved the purchase of a $4,000 computer software system for closer monitoring of water use.

* The Alhambra City Council on Monday banned washing driveways, filling decorative fountains, serving water in restaurants unless requested and failing to repair leaky faucets.

Officials hope the measures will reduce water usage by 15%.

The council also hiked water meter rates and fire service charges to compensate for the revenue it expects to lose from reduced water usage.

An average water bill would go up $7.50 each bimonthly billing, from $27.90 to $35.40. Penalties for violating the new measures include a 15% surcharge on the water bill of second offenders and 50% penalty for third offenders.

Officials said they would consider placing a flow restrictor at the homes of fourth offenders.

* San Dimas residents should prepare to cut back water usage voluntarily starting next month, with rationing possible in May.

The City Council on Tuesday asked its staff to prepare a voluntary water conservation resolution, which the council will vote on April 9.

The measures would include a ban on hosing down sidewalks, patios, driveways, buildings and walls. Vehicle washing would be limited to a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle or a bucket. Lawn and landscape watering would be limited to between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.

The council also approved a proposal from its water provider, Southern California Water Co., to begin rationing May 1. The company plans to allot each customer only 70% of last year’s use.

If a customer uses more than that, a penalty of $2 per 100 cubic feet will be added to the monthly bills. The regular water rate is 98 cents per 100 cubic feet.

The average San Dimas customer now pays $38.36 for 3,200 cubic feet of water a month, including a $7 service fee.

The water company has applied to the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to impose the surcharge. A public hearing on the rationing plan is scheduled at 7 p.m. April 11 at San Dimas City Hall.

* Glendora residents will get a chance to comment on a three-stage water conservation plan at the April 9 City Council meeting.

The first stage of the plan calls for a voluntary 10% cutback. The second stage prohibits runoff from watering lawns and plants and using water for outside cleaning, limits watering between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and requires drought notices to be placed in restaurants. The third stage prohibits outdoor watering except from a bucket.

City Engineer Richard Cantwell, who presented the plan to the council Tuesday, recommended that it be adopted at Stage 2.

Among the penalties proposed for repeat violators are fines up to $1,000 a year and a restriction or even shut-off of water service.

Times staff writers Irene Chang and Franki V. Ransom and free-lance writers Brad Haugaard and E. Page Bucy contributed to this story.