Drought meeting set in Dougherty Valley

The city of San Ramon and the Dublin-San Ramon Services District are teaming up Thursday evening (May 22) for a joint meeting to inform Dougherty Valley residents about the current drought, local water supply and impacts of the shortage.

The DSRSD Board of Directors on May 5 voted to implement water limitations, penalties, a new water-rate structure and enhancements to the agency’s rebate programs.

All of the moves are part of an effort to reduce water use by 25% throughout the entire DSRSD water service area, which includes Dougherty Valley and the city of Dublin.

The new water restrictions include limiting how often people can irrigate outdoors, banning home car washing and outdoor cleaning using potable water, requiring people to fix known leaks and capping allowable residential water use at 639 gallons per day.

Each documented violation would be a misdemeanor, and multiple violations could result in fines and the potential of having one’s water service reduced or disconnected.

Additionally, higher water rates will take effect June 1.

The overarching goal behind the actions is to encourage customers to reduce their water use by at least 5% indoors and 50-60% outdoors, according to DSRSD.

The public meeting Thursday is set to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Dougherty Station Community Center Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road. For more information about the meeting, call 973-2538 or visit the city website.