Summary
The city lifted its Stage 2 water shortage condition and adopted updated water management plans, while introducing an ordinance amending outdoor water use restrictions. Residents may see relaxed drought rules, with final ordinance adoption pending.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
Homeowners may pay several hundred dollars per device plus $50-$200 annual testing; initial city costs are absorbed in existing water rates.
All water customers, who see the Stage 2 shortage condition lifted.
Owners of roughly 1,500 sprinklered homes face new device and testing costs.
Mentions & discussions (4)
City Council Meeting
Ordinance No. 2026-10 would amend Section 8-10.33 of the municipal code governing water waste and outdoor water use restrictions.
Special City Council Meeting
The city lifted its Stage 2 water shortage condition and adopted updated water management plans, while introducing an ordinance amending outdoor water use restrictions. Residents may see relaxed drought rules, with final ordinance adoption pending.
City Council Meeting
A new state rule means roughly 1,500 homes built since 2011 with fire sprinklers may need backflow devices — costing homeowners several hundred dollars to install plus $50-$200 a year to test. The council punted the ordinance to June 16, wanting more answers on costs and outreach.
State water deliveries resume in Santa Maria after emergency pipeline repair
State water deliveries resume in Santa Maria after emergency pipeline repair KSBY News
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