-November 7,2021-
Water purveyor California Water Service has filed plans with the California Public Utilities Commission to move to Stage 2 water restrictions in Visalia. A notice says restrictions are needed in light of the ongoing drought.
CalWater filed Advice Letter 2426 with the CPUC on October 20, 2021. Stage 2 restrictions include outdoor irrigation limits and increased water waste penalties. If approved, Stage 2 will become effective December 14, 2021, says a public notice.
Earlier this year the Visalia City Council authorized that Stage 2 (Water Alert) conservation measures be implemented effective March 1, 2021 through November. The City says 9 out of the last 11 years, Visalia has experienced below average rainfall, and the groundwater table the City relies on for its water supply remains critically low, measuring 30 feet lower than in 2010.
Regarding the new notice, CalWater is hosting a public meeting to help customers understand and comply with these new restrictions. The meeting will educate customers on Stage 2 of Cal Water’s Schedule 14.1, water-use restrictions, and a range of conservation programs and tools available to assist customers. DATE: Tuesday, November 16, 2021 TIME: 5:30 p.m. LOCATION: ImagineU Children’s Museum, 210 N. Tipton Street, Visalia, CA 93292 Cal Water invites customers in its Visalia District to attend this public meeting to learn more.
At the meetings, Cal Water representatives will provide details about new irrigation restrictions as part of Stage 2 and discuss current prohibited uses of water. Some of the restrictions include:
Outdoor landscape irrigation is limited to two days per week between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless local ordinances state otherwise.
All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in a customer’s plumbing fixtures and/or irrigation system must be repaired within five business days of written notification by Cal Water.
Vehicles may only be washed with a hose that has a shutoff nozzle or similar device.
Water may not be used on driveways or sidewalks, unless for health and safety purposes.
No watering of outdoor landscapes may occur during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
Restaurants may only serve water upon request, and hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.
Customers can direct questions to Cal Water at (559) 624-1600 or infoVIS@calwater.com. More information is also available online at www.calwater.com/conservation. Customers who would like to provide comments on this plan directly to the CPUC can write within 20 days of this notice to: California Public Utilities Commission; Attn: Program Manager, Water and Sewer Advisory Branch; Water Utilities Division, Room 3106; 505 Van Ness Ave., 3rd Floor; San Francisco, CA 94102. Please reference California Water Service Advice Letter No. 2426. Pub: November 3, 2021 #0004982500.
California Water Service Company (Cal Water) has provided service to Visalia residents since 1926.Cal Water’s Visalia District serves about 147,000 people through 46,700 service connections.
Water levels have declined over the years. The 2020 Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District groundwater report says in fall 2020, the average comparable depth to groundwater was approximately 143.3 ft., which reflected a groundwater level decline of 10.6 ft. from the prior year. In the mid -80s, Visalia groundwater levels were just 50ft after several wet years.