SAN CLEMENTE : Council Considers Water Rationing Bill

An urgency rationing ordinance that would place a moratorium on certain development projects during water shortages will be discussed by the City Council at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Under the proposed moratorium, developers could only build units served by existing water supplies. A priority system would be established to determine which units could be built if the moratorium is activated.

City officials hope the proposed moratorium won’t be needed after a new pipeline carrying imported water between El Toro and San Clemente is completed this summer.

The ordinance also aims to reduce water consumption during high-demand summer months by encouraging builders to implement conservation measures. Among the steps recommended by the ordinance are drought-tolerant landscaping, irrigating of golf courses with specially treated sewage water and drilling of new wells.

The council began drafting the urgency ordinance shortly after a severe summertime water shortage, when the city’s main reservoir dipped to below half its normal level.

A second measure, known as the water conservation and management ordinance, will be discussed at the Feb. 7 council meeting. It calls for a surcharge for excess water use and financial incentives for those who conserve water.