THOUSAND OAKS : Water-Rationing Plan Is Adopted

The Thousand Oaks City Council has unanimously adopted an emergency water-rationing plan that would force residents and businesses to cut back by up to 20% in the event of a continued drought.

The measure would only be instituted if the Metropolitan Water District, which provides state water in the eastern part of Ventura County, decides that drought conditions warrant rationing, said Don Nelson, city utilities director.

Officials say they expect 70% to 80% of the 12,800 customers in the city to comply with the rationing order. The city has recorded a 600-million gallon drop in projected water consumption since voluntary water rationing was imposed in May, Nelson said.

Thousand Oaks’ plan calls for rationing to be imposed in three phases. The first phase would be imposed if there is a 10% shortage in the state’s water supplies. Residents would be warned to cut back on watering lawns and washing cars or face civil and criminal penalties.

Shortages of 10% to 20% would involve more serious measures. Customers would have to reduce consumption by 10% or face penalties on their water bills. Penalties are calculated at $2 for every unit, or about 750 gallons, of water used.

A family that used 25 units of water each month would have to cut back by 2.5 units, or see a $5 penalty in its water bill.

If the city’s water shortage exceeds 20%, customers would have to cut back by 20%. Excessive users could be forced to install flow-restricting devices on their faucets or face having their water shut off.