Salem committee advances ordinance to align city water restrictions with state drought rules

The Salem City Council Committee of the Whole voted Thursday to send an amended ordinance to the full council updating the city—ode to match state Water Management Act drought tiers and to give the city engineer authority to set the weekly allowable watering day.

The ordinance updates Section 46-38 (Water Management Plan and Use Restrictions) so local restrictions mirror the state esignation of drought levels and so the city acts when the state or regional authority declares a drought level. "The changes before you really are just to come into compliance with the state standard for, water management," said James Wellock, attorney for the City of Salem. The amendment approved by the committee also replaces a weekday-by-ward schedule in the draft with language allowing the city engineer to set the single allowable watering day.

City engineering staff described the drought tiers that the ordinance now codifies. Giovanna Rosino, a water and sewer engineer in the City—ngineering Department, summarized the tiers: "Level 1 is considered mild mild drought, and the restrictions is basically all non essential outdoor water use is restricted, to 1 day basically a week"; under Level 2 "all non essential water use is banned, except for watering of ornamental flowers and gardens and like drip irrigation"; and under Level 3 and Level 4 "all outside water use for non essentials, is completely banned." The ordinance text attached a sample weekday assignment by ward (Sunday = Ward 1, Monday = Ward 2, etc.), which prompted questions from councilors about equity and enforceability.

Councilors raised enforcement and communication concerns. Deb Duhamel, the city engineer, said the city is required to enforce the rules: "We are mandated to enforce this ordinance per the state regulations." Staff described an enforcement approach that begins with verbal notice and a follow-up education letter, with escalating penalties for repeat violations and authority to shut off service for repeated noncompliance if necessary. Staff also said the city will deploy permanent, changeable signs at entry points, use color coding for levels, issue press releases and CodeRED messages, and include materials with utility bills to educate residents.

During debate several councilors urged removing the ward-by-day schedule from the ordinance and placing the exact day-setting mechanism in regulation so it can be adjusted without returning to the council. Councilor Stott said she supported action: "I was begging for drought restrictions, last summer." Councilor Musso moved to replace the weekday-by-ward wording with language that the single allowable day will be "set by the city engineer"; Councilor Cohen seconded. The committee approved that amendment unanimously on a voice vote. Councilor Cohen then moved that the committee refer the ordinance to the full council with a positive recommendation as amended; that motion carried.

The ordinance now goes to the full Salem City Council for consideration. Committee members and staff said the city will proceed with public education, signage, and CodeRED notices when the state or regional agency changes drought levels; staff noted Salem and neighboring communities have been working on implementation since the state regulations were published and that an April 8 implementation deadline was mentioned during committee discussion.

For residents, the main operational effects are (1) watering restrictions that depend on the state-declared drought level, (2) limits on nonessential outdoor water use (examples listed in the ordinance include lawn irrigation via sprinklers or automatic systems, washing vehicles and exterior surfaces, and filling private swimming pools), and (3) a single allowed watering day set by the city engineer under Level 1.