SAN CLEMENTE : Water Law Goes Into Effect Today

Does a drippy faucet keep you up at night? Does your broken sprinkler head create a front-yard geyser?

Now is the time to take care of those troublesome, water-wasting problems because the city’s tough new water conservation ordinance goes into effect today.

The water-rationing law, adopted after a severe water shortage caused near-panic in the community last summer, is considered the strictest in the county and contains fines and a provision to shut off water use to chronic wasters.

But as the hot summer months proceed, city officials hope that residents and business owners will take the spirit of the law to heart, altering lifestyles to save millions of gallons of drinking water.

Most of the changes simply involve leaky spigots, resetting automatic sprinkler systems or buying a $2 hose nozzle with a spring-loaded shut-off valve.

“The intent of the ordinance is really to sensitize or help people be aware of the need to conserve water,” utilities manager Greg Morehead said. “Our goal is to work in a partnership with people to promote conservation.”

In fact, the city has hired Lois Curtis to spot the thousands of everyday problems that translate into water waste and to consult with residents who are interested in correcting them.

Her job, as the city’s “water cop,” is also to cite water wasters who repeatedly defy the new law.

“I hope we don’t have to give any (citations) out,” Curtis said this week as she patrolled the city looking for telltale signs of wasted water. “That’s not my purpose.”

But as the “Water Conservation Period” of the ordinance begins, residents and business owners will face a set of new restrictions, including when they can water their lawns. The water conservation period lasts from today to Sept. 15, when the weather is expected to cool again.

The ordinance, the only mandatory one in the county, is designed to prevent a repeat of last summer’s water shortage. At that time, the Palisades Reservoir dipped from 44 million gallons to half that amount.

Unlike water conservation policies and laws in other Orange County cities, the San Clemente law includes fines for violations.

During the water conservation period, households with even-numbered addresses will be allowed to water lawns only on even-numbered days, and households with odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days. Violators face fines of $100.

Additionally, 400 businesses, neighborhood associations and others hooked to a city-owned irrigation meter can be fined $500 for using more than 623 gallons of irrigation water per week if they fail to notify the city of the total square footage they are irrigating, according to the ordinance.

For a second offense, water service could be cut off after a city hearing.

Residents who use more than 650 gallons of water a day will face a surcharge on their bimonthly water bill.

If the reservoir water level dips to 35 million gallons or below, another restriction will go into effect: Spraying sidewalks and exterior structures and washing cars, trucks and boats with hoses not equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle will be prohibited. Commercial carwashes will be exempt.

In addition, residents will be prohibited from filling or emptying swimming pools.

If the reservoir dips below 30 million gallons, further restrictions will be considered, according to the ordinance.

Curtis said she has received about 30 calls a day in the past week from residents alerting her to water waste and asking her questions about how to conserve.

“Most of them are pretty good,” Curtis said. “They really are interested in conserving water.”

The city also is giving away water conservation kits, which includes two displacement bags for conserving toilet water, four flow restricters for faucets or shower heads, dye tablets to detect any toilet leaks and a booklet of water-saving tips, Curtis said.

“People are really aware,” she said. “They are ready to participate.”

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SAN CLEMENTE WATER CONSERVATION

For a period covering June 15 to Sept.15

RESIDENCES

1. Households will be limited to using 650 gallons a day. A surcharge of 62 cents for each additional 100 cubic feet of water used will be added to bimonthly water bill.

2. Lawn watering, which will be allowed only between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., will be restricted to an odd-even system. Homes with even-numbered addresses will water on even days. Those with odd-numbered addresses will water on odd days. A written warning is issued upon first violation and a $100 fine will be issued on the second offense.

BUSINESSES / INSTITUTIONS

1. Businesses and institutions that water large areas of landscaping will face water bill surcharges for using more than one inch of water over the total square footage of the green space per week for irrigation. 2. Businesses and institutions provided with city irrigation meters will be checked within the first week of the water conservation period. Documentation stating the square footage of landscaping must be submitted to the city. The city will provide only 623 gallons of water per week to businesses and institutions that fail to provide documentation. Water use over this amount will result in a $500 fine. 3. Grading projects larger than 1,000 cubic yards will be prohibited during water conservation period, unless the water is used from a source other than the city’s potable water system. Use of alternative water must be approved.

Daily Water Consumption Per Household and What They Pay

Sample water bills during water conservation period.*

$38.19

- 384 Gallons a Day (average) $64.65

- 650 Gallons a Day (max w/no surcharge)

$79.65

- 750 Gallons a Day (surcharge added)

$116.87

- 1,000 Gallons a Day (surcharge added)

* Water bill is on a bimonthly basis.

Source: The city of San Clemente

Los Angeles Times