Santa Rosa will consider declaring a water shortage emergency amidst the continued drought Tuesday night.
The new rules would tighten up restrictions for both residents and businesses and add them to the city’s existing 20% reduction in water use mandate.
Santa Rosa gets the vast majority of its water from the Russian River.
Certain activities will be prohibited, such as pressure washing. Others will be restricted, including lawn watering, which would be limited to between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. And Residents would be required to fix any water leaks or breaks that might waste water.
"It would require restaurants to only give water upon request from customers and it would require our hotels to start to message to visitors that are coming ways to save water as well," said Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Rogers.
Rogers said that instead of large fines for infractions, the city will promote education to its residents.
"The only reason we’d typically bill a fine is when people are willfully ignoring the mandate that is in place," said Rogers.
If the city doesn’t meet its 20% goal, more drastic measures will be taken.
"Putting additional constraints on construction and development," said Rogers, including other big water users, like agriculture.
