Woes Forcing Rialto to Ration Its Water

Beginning this week, Rialto residents will be asked to reduce their water use by a third because of perchlorate contamination, high temperatures and demands placed on the city’s wells by other users, said Public Works Director Brad Baxter.

“Our backup water supply is gone,” said Baxter.

The biggest culprit: ground water contamination by perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient that had been handled by military users and defense contractors since World War II. To avoid the spoiled water, the city has been forced to shut down five of its 15 wells.

Baxter’s request for a declaration of water emergency was expected to be adopted Tuesday night by the City Council. The declaration calls for 45 days of voluntary rationing, after which officials will consider mandatory conservation measures. Cleanup began at some well heads Monday, but it could take months.

The city’s water system, which serves about 50,000 residents and numerous businesses, can usually provide up to 25,000 gallons of water a minute, although average use is about 12,000 gallons per minute.

With the well closings and other pumping restrictions, the system can now supply only 13,500 gallons per minute to city customers.

At the same time, officials are bracing for heavier water consumption because of high temperatures.

To further conserve water, Baxter said, residents can remove their old toilets and receive vouchers from the Public Works Department for free low-flow toilets at the local Home Depot.

They are also urged to cover swimming pools, limit lawn-watering and use commercial car washes, among other measures.