At a special meeting held by the Nevada City City Council on June 18, 2021 a declaration of a Drought Stage 3 Warning was declared. Implementation was effective immediately. With rainfall this season being at historic lows, the Council made the decision based on information from the California State Water Boards as well as information from the Nevada Irrigation District combined with input from city staff on the city’s system and water usage.
The Stage 3 Warning carries mandatory water restrictions including reducing water usage by 20 percent of 2020 usage levels; limiting watering of outdoor plants to twice a week; washing vehicles with a bucket and shut-off nozzles; and shutting off all outdoor water features. Additionally, city water users are to avoid water runoff of any kind, avoid use of sprinklers, not to wash sidewalks or driveways and to water in the early morning or late evening.
The city will be contacting local eating and drinking businesses as well, advising that drinking water is to be provided only on customer request. Hotel and motel operators are to limit laundering of towels and linens of multi-day guests only on the specific request of guests.
Mayor Minett said “by implementing these measures now, we hope that sufficient conservation from our residents will prevent the city from having to declare more mandatory measures.”
Mailers have been sent to all mailing addresses in the city advising of the Stage 3 declaration and signage will be posted in the city alerting not only locals but visitors to the city as well.