Santa Clarita Council Favors Water Curbs

Santa Clarita City Council members said Tuesday that they favor adopting a water-conservation ordinance, perhaps one more stringent than a plan drafted by water purveyors serving the city and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley.

The valley’s four purveyors patterned their conservation ordinance after a measure under consideration by Los Angeles County. The ordinance would not mandate specific cutbacks for each household and business but would impose fines for wasting water.

Dan Masnada, vice president of the Valencia Water Co., told the council Tuesday night that more stringent conservation measures are not yet needed because local wells continue to provide sufficient supplies. Valencia Water and the other purveyors receive about half their supplies from local wells and half from the State Water Project.

“Our water situation locally is much better . . . in comparison with many communities large and small throughout the state,” Masnada said.

But Councilwoman Jan Heidt said: “I’m a little concerned that we’re not taking this seriously enough.” She and Councilwoman Jill Klajic asked if a stronger measure should be adopted.

Heidt described the purveyors’ attitude as “don’t worry, be happy.” Masnada said a better description would be “don’t panic, be concerned.”

The council agreed to consider the matter again in two weeks to give city officials more time to review the proposed ordinance.