OXNARD : Council May Adopt Water Cutback Plan

The Oxnard City Council will consider adopting a water conservation plan today that would reduce overall consumption by 20%, but allow several exemptions for industries and businesses important to the city’s continued growth.

Under the proposal, residents would receive monthly allocations according to family size and type of housing unit. Single-family houses with fewer than three residents would be allowed about 250 gallons a day under the plan.

Single-family houses with up to six occupants would be awarded about 400 gallons per day. Houses with more than six occupants would be allowed about 550 gallons per day, and those with more than 10 occupants about 700 gallons daily. For apartments, condominiums and mobile homes, the allocations would be smaller, varying from about 174 gallons per day for studio apartments to about 475 gallons a day for units with more than five bedrooms.

Excessive water users would be penalized between 50 cents and $4 for every 748 gallons above their allotment, with the stiffer fines going to the most blatant violators. Business and industrial users would have to cut their use to 20% below their water consumption for the previous year, and farmers by 50%.