VENTURA : Water Brochures Trigger Questions

Ventura city officials were flooded with telephone queries from local residents Monday following a weekend mailing of 23,000 brochures to residents explaining a city water conservation ordinance that goes into effect April 16.

The brochures also assign monthly water allocations to each household and business for the duration of the drought, now 3 years old.

“It’s been non-stop all day,” said Glenda Jackson, one of two city employees handling requests for additional information and handing out low-flow shower heads and toilet water bags at City Hall’s public information office.

By the end of the day, the city had received more than 700 phone calls and 150 visits from residents, Public Information director Carol Green said. The five lines of the city’s water hot line were constantly busy.

“There was no way to get through, so I had to come in person,” said Elaine Kelsch, 28, who went to the City Council with her six children, ages 9 to 1, to request an additional allocation because her family’s size was well over the four-person household on which her preliminary allocation was based.

Several residents said they were surprised to learn that to qualify for additional water allocations, they would have install low-flow shower heads, ultra-low flow toilets and aerators in faucets.

“I have three rentals and it’s going to be quite expensive,” said Juanita Banuelos, 47. “We’re going to have to be on our toes to save money.”

The city is handing out one free low-flow shower head per household and unlimited plastic toilet bags at City Hall. Information requests and appeals for larger allocations may be made by letter to Water Superintendent, P.O. Box 99, Ventura, Calif. 93002; by telephone on the water hot line, 652-4567; or in person at City Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road, or City Information, Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St.