WATER WATCH

Because of the drought, the residential water imported to Orange County has been cut by 20%. Each city is required to have a water-conservation plan. Most cities are in the process of adopting plans or beginning the first two stages of them. Local water districts have raised or soon will raise rates for people who fail to conserve at least 20%.

ANAHEIM

* The City Council on March 19 will consider beginning Plan 2 in the city’s water-conservation effort. If approved, it would mean:

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 “water advisers” would be formed to issue citations to water wasters.

The city has a hot line for people to report water wasters: (714) 991-DRIP.

BREA

* The City Council will consider beginning Stage 2 of the city’s water-conservation plan on Tuesday. If approved, it would mean:

Landscape watering would be allowed only on “designated irrigation days,” based on odd-and even-numbered addresses corresponding with odd- and even-numbered dates. Watering is restricted to 6 p.m. on designated irrigation days until 9 the following morning. Watering is permitted at any time if a hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle, a hand-held bucket of five gallons or less or a drip-irrigation system is used.

Car washing would be restricted to “irrigation days.”

Filling or refilling pools, spas, ponds and artificial lakes would be allowed only on designated irrigation days.

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

Water could not be served unless specifically requested at restaurants.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

* An ordinance that details the city’s water-conservation plan will be considered by the City Council on March 19. It might result in cutbacks.

FULLERTON

* An ordinance detailing the city’s water-conservation plan will be considered by the City Council on Tuesday. It will not result in immediate cutbacks.

GARDEN GROVE

* Stage 1 of the city’s water-conservation plan began Feb. 19. It is voluntary and calls for the following:

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 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 at times other than between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Not using water to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts and patios.

Serving water at restaurants only when specifically requested.

LA HABRA

* Stage 2 of the city’s water-conservation plan began Feb. 5. It calls for the following:

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

Banning residential lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Banning car washing or pool, spa, pond and artificial-lake refilling between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Banning watering of golf courses (except greens), parks, school grounds and recreational fields between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Not using water to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts and patios.

Serving water at restaurants only when specifically requested.

LAGUNA BEACH

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

SAN CLEMENTE

* The City Council approved an urgency ordinance Feb. 20 detailing the city’s water-conservation law and beginning Stage 2 immediately. It calls for the following:

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

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

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

* The City Council will consider implementing Stage 2 of the water-conservation plan. If approved, it would mean:

Lawn watering and landscape irrigation, including that of golf courses (except greens), parks, school grounds and recreational fields, would not be allowed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Watering is permitted at any time if a hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle, a hand-held bucket holding five gallons or less or a drip-irrigation system is used.

Car washing would only be allowed if done with a hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle or a hand-held five-gallon bucket.

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

Water could not be served unless specifically requested at restaurants.

Ornamental fountains could not be operated.

SANTA ANA

* The City Council passed a resolution in January implementing the first phase of the city’s 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.

TUSTIN

* An ordinance that details the city’s water-conservation plan will be considered by the City Council today. It will not result in immediate cutbacks.

YORBA LINDA

* An ordinance that details the city’s water-conservation plan will be considered by the City Council on March 14. It might result in cutbacks.

Note: Cypress, Huntington Beach, Laguna Niguel, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo and Stanton have not begun their conservation plans and the city councils have not set dates to consider action. Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Irvine, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia and Villa Park also have not begun conservation plans, but have ordinances in effect calling for 10% voluntary water reduction. Researched by Kathie Bozanich / Los Angeles Times