Mandatory water rationing a possibility

California's water-supply crisis has prompted the board of directors of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to consider adopting mandatory water conservation measures.

If approved, the water conservation practices will become effective July 1, said John Mundy, LVMWD general manager.

Some measures being considered are: prohibiting residential irrigation between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., banning the use of hoses to clean sidewalks and driveways unless a flowrestricted "water broom" is used, mandating that restaurants only serve water if requested, and requiring hotels in the area to offer guests the option of reusing towels and linens during multiple-night stays.

Mundy said the restrictions are result of a dry March and April when little rain fell in the Sierras, where LVMWD customers obtain their water. The rain and snow that fell in the Sierras during December and January were only 61 percent of normal, he said.

The 2008 drought has helped deplete the state's water reserves and continues a three-year trend in California.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought at a news conference earlier in the month, and called the crisis "severe."

The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), the supplier of water to Las Virgenes and other local water agencies in the area, has asked cities, counties and water boards to implement "extraordinary" conservation measures, including new ordinances that would outlaw wasteful practices.

"These measures may only be first steps," Mundy said.

In January, LVMWD agricultural customers were required to reduce potable water use by 30 percent. Residential and commercial customers were asked to voluntarily cut their consumption by 10 percent.

The lack of measureable savings and the dry conditions have made it necessary to draw on the water district's reserve supplies.

"Unlike many other communities, we are entirely dependent on imported water; there are no local sources," Mundy said. "For now and into the foreseeable future, the supply situation is not good."

"In the middle of the summer everyone is pouring water everywhere," said LVMWD Board Director Charles Caspary. If the MWD adopts a stage-three alert, calling for mandatory rationing, the district is entirely dependent on them for water, and cutbacks could be much more severe.

"Other agencies can go to other sources (for water)," Caspary said. "Las Virgenes cannot. Groundwater is not available in the area."

LVMWD Director Jeff Smith said the 1990s drought prompted residents to install low-flow toilets and other water-saving appliances. But additional cuts today might be more difficult, Smith said.

To compound the problem, supplies from the State Water Project, which delivers water to the Southland from Northern California, have been cut further because of courtordered pumping restrictions to protect endangered fish.

Wasteful outdoor watering

Los Angeles and Long Beach have already adopted restrictions on outdoor water use, and in Oakland, mandatory water-rationing programs have been implemented.

In the LVMWD service area, nearly 70 percent of the water that is delivered is used outdoors.

"By watering no more than three days each week during the evening or early morning hours, we can achieve significant savings and maintain most types of landscaping," Mundy said.

Anne Dana, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Water and Sanitation Department, sees dire consequences if the wasteful landscape watering continues.

"Someday it may come down that water is only for drinking and indoor use," Dana said.

Joseph Bowman, LVMWD board president, said people who waste water can expect higher bills. But customers will be able to appeal the higher costs, especially those who've already adopted conservation measures, Bowman said.

Tips to save water

The district offers rebate programs for qualifying water-efficient devices in homes. Eligible items include certain water-efficient clothes washers and toilets, and weatherbased irrigation controllers and lawn sprinkler heads. A list of qualified items, brands and models can be found at www.LVMWD.com under "conservation."

The Las Virgenes district also offers education programs, including water-efficient home gardening workshops, facility tours, school programs, printed materials and free on-site water use surveys.

Among other things, the water district recommends sweeping down a driveway with a broom rather than washing it with a hose. Washing a car at a carwash also conserves water since carwashes use recycled water.

Inside the home, residents should turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, wash only full loads of dishes and laundry, and promptly repair plumbing leaks when they occur.

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District serves a population of 65,000 in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village and adjacent unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The public hearing on mandatory conservation is 5 p.m. on Tues., June 24. For more information, call the district at (818) 2512150.