OJAI : Council to Hire Water Rights Lawyer
The Ojai City Council has decided to hire a water rights attorney to help safeguard the city’s water supplies.
An attorney familiar with state water law is needed to assist the city in declaring a water service moratorium, to develop a water management plan and to investigate acquiring water rights, the council said Tuesday.
Councilman Steve Olsen said it has become clear that the city cannot rely on the California Public Utilities Commission to safeguard supplies for residents and others who pump from the underground Ojai water basin.
After a two-day hearing in Ojai last week, commission staff members concluded that the basin has enough water for Southern California Water Co. to continue serving new Ojai customers.
The private company announced Friday that it was lifting a freeze on new hookups in its Ojai district until the state commission approves its formal moratorium application. A decision is expected within three months.
Casitas Municipal Water District officials urged commission staff members to support the moratorium.
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