COPING WITH THE DROUGHT

A sampling of efforts in Southern California to prepare for water shortages during the continuing five-year drought:

ANAHEIM--The city plans 15% voluntary cut and will outfit the Disneyland Hotel with low-flow toilets and shower heads as a demonstration project. Also planned are rebates for residential low-flow toilets.

BURBANK--Conservation measures will be presented to the City Council Jan. 29. Among them are rebates of up to $100 to residents who install low-flow toilets and a proposal to make conservation measures mandatory.

COMPTON--An ordinance mandating a 10% reduction is being prepared, but residents already achieved that reduction in December under a voluntary program launched in October.

FOOTHILL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT--This district, which supplies water to agencies serving La Canada Flintridge and unincorporated La Crescenta and Altadena, will pass along the MWD cuts to its member agencies. La Canada Flintridge will consider programs to reduce lawn watering.

FULLERTON--An information program giving conservation tips has achieved an 8% reduction since May. Also being considered is a tough, five-phase conservation program with penalties for wasteful customers. But problems are not as severe as some other communities because the city gets 65% of its water from ground water.

GLENDALE--More water may be pumped from city wells, and conservation messages will be included in water bills. A five-stage conservation ordinance adopted last year could require customers to cut use by up to 25% or face penalties.

LAGUNA BEACH--A surcharge doubles the cost of water for homeowners who don’t cut their usage to specified levels.

LONG BEACH--The city will consider updating a 1978 conservation ordinance that would set usage ceilings and charge penalties for violations. A 1989 voluntary conservation ordinance initially cut use by 8%, but conservation has dropped in recent months to about 4% to 5%.

LOS ANGELES--The Department of Water and Power is leaning toward imposition on March 1 of a plan requiring a 10% reduction from 1986 usage levels. Penalties could include fines. The city has stepped up information efforts in schools and the media while launching an ultra-low-flow toilet rebate program, conducting home water surveys and distributing more than 1 million low-flow shower heads.

ORANGE COUNTY--The county’s Municipal Water District, which serves most cities, asked for voluntary reductions last year and achieved a 10% cutback. The county’s northern two-thirds sits atop a vast aquifer capable of providing a ready supply of water for the near future. Several water agencies are considering new rate structures that would double water bills for customers exceeding a certain ceiling.

PASADENA--A conservation plan is being developed that would start in July and achieve a 6% reduction.

RIVERSIDE--The city plans to institute a 10% voluntary reduction plan. Last year they called for a 5% cutback from their customers and achieved a 5% to 6% reduction. The county achieved a 17% voluntary reduction last year, but is now considering a mandatory 17% cutback for all users. Penalties would include a 300% surcharge for water used above the limit.

SAN DIEGO--The city will continue a voluntary conservation plan begun last summer with a target of reducing use between 7% and 10% a month. The city’s water department will ask the City Council to approve a $100 rebate for people who install ultra-low-flush toilets.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY--The county’s water authority, which sells MWD water to 23 cities and districts, will reduce supplies to all customers by 15% from last year’s levels. A 300% surcharge will be imposed for exceeding the allocation. Customers who use less than their allotment will only be charged half the normal rate.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY--Most water comes from an aquifer, but the MWD supplies 10% of the water--and up to 50% in some cities. Mandatory rationing may be necessary in those communities that rely most heavily on the MWD, including South Pasadena, West Covina, Alhambra, Arcadia and Monrovia.

SANTA MONICA--Several measures, some begun as long as six years ago, saved 10% in 1989 and 10% last year. A toilet retrofit program alone has saved 500,000 gallons a day last year. The city is considering imposing penalties on the books since 1977.

TORRANCE--Mandatory 10% cutbacks are being considered for residential customers, with penalties for violations and incentives for compliance. About 12,000 conservation kits, displacement bags, dye tablets to check for leaks and flower seeds requiring little water have been distributed since June.

VENTURA COUNTY--Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks may impose mandatory rationing by the end of the month, with heavy penalties for noncompliance.