Board wants water rationing

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District's board of directors put a water conservation resolution into effect July 1, requesting that residents cut back on watering their lawns and refrain from hosing down driveways and streets.

Among other measures, the watering of lawns and gardens is only permitted between the hours of 5 p.m and 10 a.m.

Instead of issuing fines to the public if they don't adopt water conservation measures- or raising water rates- the board will issue notices to customers pushing for compliance.

"If we don't all cut back then there will be mandatory rationing," LVMWD General Manager John Mundy said.

Jeff Reinhardt, LVMWD customer service and public affairs manager, appeared at a recent Calabasas City Council meeting to address the new water conservation guidelines.

"The statewide water situation is not good," Reinhardt said. "We had a good start to the winter, but unfortunately in March and April we had the driest months on record throughout the state.

"We've been living on stored supplies over the past two years going on three. Just like a family with their bank account, you can't keep living on what you put aside," Reinhardt said.

In January, the district called for a voluntary 30 percent reduction in water usage for agricultural customers and 10 percent for residential customers.

"Unfortunately those goals have fallen short," Reinhardt said.

The new measures prohibit the washing of cement driveways and streets with a hose, and cars may only be washed with use of a trigger nozzle. Also, restaurants will only serve water if the customer asks for it.

"It not only saves water by reducing the amount of glassware that needs to be washed, but it will serve as a reminder to customers that the water shortage is real and requires their efforts to conserve water at every opportunity," Reinhardt said.

Reinhardt said he hopes the public will irrigate every second or third day, reduce their runoff, repair leaks immediately, cover pools and spas when not in use. He also recommended using a weatherbased irrigation controller and efficient sprinkler heads.

Calabasas Councilmember Dennis Washburn asked about the effect the shortage will have on water rates.

"Hopefully we can keep the rate situation as stable as we can for the foreseeable future," Reinhardt said.