THOUSAND OAKS : Plan Calls for Fines for Hosing Cars

Thousand Oaks residents who hose down driveways and cars would be fined under a water conservation plan being considered by the City Council on Tuesday.

Under the plan, first-time violators would be warned. A second offense would draw a $25 fine, a third offense $50 and a fourth offense $100.

City residents have been asked to cut back because the five-year drought has dried up supplies of state water. Among the practices banned under the water-saving plan are:

* Washing sidewalks and driveways so that water runs into the street.

* Washing cars, trailers and boats with hoses.

* Failing to fix indoor and outdoor water leaks.

* Watering lawns more than every other day or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thousand Oaks receives water from the State Water Project through its supplier, the Calleguas Municipal Water District, and is under pressure to cut back by at least 10%. Last month, city residents cut back by 6.9% over the same period last year.

“That’s not bad,” Paul Swenson, the city water conservation coordinator, said. “We need to do better.”