Residents asked to cut back on water

This time, though, the program is voluntary. And there is no growth moratorium as there was before, when new sewer and water hookups were put on hold.

"Citizens are conserving," said Vice-Mayor Jessalee Raymond. "We're asking them to try a little harder."

Next week, Cloverdale officials will send out a notice to homes and businesses urging a reduction in water consumption.

The goal is to cut water use by at least 15 percent from 2004 levels, similar to what the Sonoma County Water Agency is requesting of its contractors, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Cotati, Sonoma and two Marin agencies.

Because Cloverdale has its own wells that are not controlled by the Water Agency, it is not under the same state order to reduce diversions from the Russian River.

But the Water Agency is seeking the cooperation and participation of all agricultural and municipal Russian River users to cut use.

Cloverdale officials said Thursday that even with growth during the past couple of years, the city has been able to reduce overall water consumption.

Public Works Superintendent Bob Crabb said Cloverdale reduced its per-capita water use by 14 percent from August 2004 to August 2006 after mandatory conservation went into effect.

"If the town grows and you have a decrease in water usage, you're doing a good job. That's what we have," he said.

In August 2006, the city used 59.2 million gallons, down from the 64.3 million gallons it used in August 2004, according to Crabb. Water use decreased even though the city grew by more than 450 residents in that period, going from a population of 7,983 in 2004 to 8,435 in 2006.

The mandatory conservation program was put into place in late July of last year because of siltation and pumping problems with city wells and poor production of a new well. City officials were concerned that the dwindling water supply could make it difficult to fight a major fire.

After overall water use was cut, city officials lifted the mandatory program and growth moratorium in December.

Cloverdale City Councilman Bob Jehn said Thursday that the city began eyeing a voluntary conservation plan in March or April, before the Water Agency's request.

"We were all just cognizant water levels in Lake Mendocino were at historically low levels," he said.

"We might be looking this fall at significant problems with the aquifer, given the rainfall we've had," he said.

Under Cloverdale's conservation plan -- similar to last year's program -- the city is divided into two areas. Outdoor water use is allowed every other day, depending on which part of the city customers are located in.

Essentially, the north section of the city is asked to irrigate Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, beginning at 9 p.m..

The southern half is requested to water Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, beginning at 9 p.m.

No outdoor use is advised between 6 a.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Tuesday.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.