City to transition to Phase III watering schedule

Will do so when temps reach 85 or above five days in a row

The Porterville City Council agreed Tuesday to transition from Phase IV to Phase III of the city’s water conservation plan once the temperature hits 85 degrees or higher five days in a row.

City Public Works Director Mike Reed said Michael Knight, the city’s deputy public works director in charge of field services, will monitor the temperature through the month of May.

“It is not an average,” Reed said. “Once we hit five consecutive days in a row of 85 degrees or above we will move into Phase III.”

Reed noted that council’s decision doesn’t follow the city’s water conservation plan, which has the city transitioning from Phase IV to Phase III on June 1.

“If you look at the history of average temperatures through the month of May, there is a strong chance that there will be five days in a row of 85 degrees or hotter during the month of May,” Reed said, adding, “So it means that we are probably going to be transitioning into Phase III earlier than normal.”

Vice Mayor Brian Ward said moving to Phase III on June 1 would be great, but only if temperatures can stay below 80 degrees, which he doesn’t think will happen.

“A couple of years ago it stayed relatively cool even in early June and so it was great, but I have been here long enough where we have had 100 degree temperatures in April and it never stopped,” Ward said. “I am less concerned about the date [to transition to Phase III] than I am about the temperature, which really governs how the plants or the landscape can actually be utilized.”

Phase III of the city’s water conservation plan is a mandatory odd/even watering schedule based on address.

For those with odd number addresses, which are addresses that end with an odd number such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, the watering days are Tuesday and Saturday only. Those with even number addresses, which are addresses that end with an even number such as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, the watering days are Wednesday and Sunday only.

Under Phase III, residents will be allowed two days a week to water lawns and landscapes. No watering allowed on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The city’s water conservation plan applies to all water users within the city’s service area.

Watering is prohibited between the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. No watering outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall. Excessive water runoff is prohibited. The washing of sidewalks and driveways is also prohibited.

Vehicles shall only be washed on designated watering days and with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. The operation of ornamental water features is prohibited unless the fountain uses a recycling system.

Non-compliance with Phase III water conservation regulations could result in citations with fines up to $500.

The first notice of violation will result in a written warning from the City of Porterville. A second violation within a 12-month period will result in the issuance of a citation with a fine of $100, a third violation a $200 fine, and a fourth violation a $500 fine.

As far as an update to the city’s water conservation numbers, Knight said the cumulative total conservation from June 2015 to March 2018 was 25 percent.

“We still need to strive for that 26 percent goal, and we are a little bit below it right now,” Reed said.

Reed said city staff may consider bringing back to city council in October any negative or positive impacts should the city move into Phase III earlier than June 1.