The Mendocino City Community Services District board declared a Stage 3 drought at its latest meeting, March 29. The district has recorded approximately 20.5 inches of rain for the year to date; this is the second-lowest recorded total in the past 100 years.
A Stage 3 drought includes the following mandates:
- 20% reduction in water usage of allotments
- Designated irrigation times and an irrigation audit for landscape maintenance.
- No vehicle washing except with a hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle
- Prohibition on refilling of decorative fountains or ponds unless such water is part of a recycling system.
- No refilling of hot tubs or swimming pools.
- Drinking water served at restaurants only upon request
- Recommended use of paper plates at restaurants to avoid dishwashing.
- A temporary moratorium on new groundwater extraction permits for new development, expansion of existing use, and changes of use, which require a hydrological study.
- Prohibitions on aquifer pump tests.
