FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Council OKs Plan to Conserve Water

The City Council unanimously approved a water-conservation ordinance, joining statewide efforts to deal with the effects of the drought.

Mayor Laurann Cook said the ordinance establishes a plan of action in case current water supplies worsen.

The ordinance defines three water conservation stages, which can be declared only by the council.

The first stage, called Water Watch, encourages residents to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10%.

The second and third stages, Water Alert and Water Emergency, both require reductions for all city customers.

If a Water Alert is declared, residential and business addresses would be assigned specific days and times for outside water use--for example, odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days.

The third stage, Water Emergency, adds even more stringent restrictions--including a prohibition against filling swimming pools, washing down driveways, watering golf courses and filling fountains unless reclaimed or recycled water is used.

In related action, the council increased water rates by 4.9% effective Sept. 1, to offset cost increases caused by higher wholesale water and energy prices.