The Fort Bragg City Council conducted an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon and declared a Stage 3 water emergency. As a result, restaurants must serve meals on plastic or paper plates, with disposable utensils alongside, among other water conservation measures.
The city said its water supply is provided by diversions on the Noyo River and two local streams. Because of the four-year drought, surface flows on the Noyo River are at historic lows.
As of Wednesday morning, the Noyo River diversion, which had been providing about 30 percent of the city’s water supply, is out-of-service, according to a city of Fort Bragg news release.
“The Noyo River is now so strongly influenced by high tides that it cannot reliably supply water,” said Fort Bragg Public Works Director Tom Varga. “The city needs to rely on its two remaining water sources, Newman Gulch and Waterfall Gulch, which are also at record low levels.”
A Stage 3 Water Emergency establishes mandatory conservation measures and is intended to reduce water use by at least 30 percent as compared to the same month of the previous year, according to the city of Fort Bragg.
Prohibited uses of water during a Stage 3 water emergency include irrigation or landscaping with city water, washing cars, cleaning building exteriors and paved surfaces. Hotels are asked to launder sheets and towels on a limited basis. Restaurants are required to use disposable plates, cuts and flatware.
Defective or leaking equipment using city water must be repaired or turned off. Leaking pipes must be repaired. All commercial water customers are encouraged to be innovative in finding water reductions that best fit their operations.
Varga said until there is significant rain, there will likely be a different taste and odor to water within the city of Fort Bragg.
“The city’s water treatment operators have found it necessary to use source water that is ordinarily avoided at this time of year due to dissolved solids and brackish taste,” Varga stated. “While this water is fully compliant with all health standards and is safe to drink, taste, odor and appearance may be affected.”
People with medical conditions that require managing salt intake are encouraged to use bottled water for drinking and cooking during the water emergency.
