WATER WATCH

Because of the state’s severe drought, the residential water imported to Orange County is being cut by 20% beginning Friday. While many cities are urging citizens to conserve water voluntarily, some are preparing ordinances requiring lifestyle adjustments and changes in business practices. Most local water districts are raising rates for people who fail to conserve 10% or 20%, but they have no authority to tell customers how to use water. The following lists what the cities and water districts have implemented or are considering in the coming week.

ANAHEIM

* The City Council will consider a water-conservation ordinance at its Tuesday meeting. If approved, it would call for the following:

Landscape watering would be allowed only every other day, based on odd- and even-numbered addresses corresponding with odd- and even-numbered dates.

Refilling pools, spas, ponds and artificial lakes would not be allowed.

Water could not be used to hose down outdoor paved surfaces.

A special team of city employees known as the “water advisers” would be formed, who will issue citations to water wasters.

The city has a 24-hour hot line for people to report water wasters. It is (714) 991-DRIP.

DANA POINT

* A presentation by South Coast Water District regarding water conservation will be made to the City Council at its Tuesday meeting.

FULLERTON

* An ordinance that splits water-conservation measures into five phases will be presented for adoption at the City Council’s meeting on March 5. It will not result in immediate rationing.

GARDEN GROVE

* The City Council approved implementing stage one of the city’s water conservation plan on Feb. 19. It calls for the following to be done on a voluntary basis:

Lawn watering every other day at most unless a hand-held hose, hand-held bucket or drip irrigation system is used.

Car washing every other day at most unless done at a commercial car wash.

Pool, spa, pond and artificial lake refilling every other day at most.

Watering of golf courses (except greens), parks, school grounds and recreational fields not be done between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

No water used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts and patios.

Water should not be served unless specifically requested at restaurants.

Ornamental fountains should not be operated.

Use of fire hydrants should be limited to fire-fighting, system testing and other activities necessary to maintain the public health, safety and welfare.

LA HABRA

* A water-conservation plan was implemented on Feb. 5. It calls for the following:

Lawn watering, car washing and pool, spa, pond and artificial lake refilling can only be done on “designated irrigation days,” based on odd- and even-numbered addresses corresponding with odd- and even-numbered dates.

Residential lawn watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Car washing or pool, spa, pond and artificial-lake refilling is not allowed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Watering of golf courses (except greens), parks, school grounds and recreational fields is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

No water can be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts and patios.

Ornamental fountains cannot be operated.

Water must be specifically requested at restaurants.

LAGUNA BEACH

* The city has a 24-hour hot line for people to report water wasters. It is (714) 494-WATR.

SAN CLEMENTE

* The City Council approved an urgency ordinance on Feb. 20 to amend the city’s water conservation law. It takes effect immediately, and calls for:

Restaurants can serve water to customers only on request.

Most single-family households must slash their water consumption by 30%. On average, it would result in households being limited to using 450 gallons a day, down from the former 650-gallon daily limit.

Residents can only water their lawns on alternating days before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

People caught violating the lawn-watering restrictions will be fined $100 on the second offense and face a misdemeanor charge on the third violation.

SANTA ANA

* The City Council passed a resolution in January implementing the first of a three-phase plan to conserve water. It states:

No water can be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas or other paved surfaces.

No lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

No water can be used to clean, fill or maintain ornamental fountains, ponds or lakes, unless such water is part of a recycling system.

Water must be specifically requested at restaurants.

SEAL BEACH

* An ordinance that splits water-conservation measures into various phases will be considered by the City Council at its Monday meeting. It will not result in immediate cutbacks.

TUSTIN

* An ordinance that splits water-conservation measures into various phases will be considered by the City Council at its March 4 meeting. It will not result in immediate rationing.

WESTMINSTER

* An ordinance that splits water-conservation measures into various phases will be considered by the City Council at its meeting on Tuesday. It will not result in immediate rationing.

* One billing unit in each water district equals one hundred cubic feet or 748 gallons of water . Note: The cities of Cypress, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Laguna Niguel, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton and Yorba Linda have not begun to implement their conservation plans and the city councils have not set dates to consider action. The cities of Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Irvine, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia and Villa Park also have not begun to implement conservation plans, but have 10% voluntary water-reduction ordinances in effect.