Although it will still need to be approved by the Santa Cruz city council, mandatory water rationing appears to be coming back to Santa Cruz. Last night, the Santa Cruz Water Commission implemented a Stage 3 Water Emergency. That means no landscape watering between 10 a-m and 5 p-m, no watering paved or hard surfaces, and water users must fix leaks immediately. If mandatory water rationing is approved by the Santa Cruz City Council, Santa Cruz water customers who go over their allotment (of about 60 gallons per day) would be fined. If approved by councilmembers, water rationing could go into effect as early as May 1st.
