NEWPORT BEACH : 2 Hearings Planned on Water Rationing

City officials will hold two public hearings this week to discuss a 10-phase mandatory water rationing plan that could result in flow restricters on water meters and heavy fines for customers who exceed use limits.

The plan restricts water use in 5% increments, up to 50%, of the amount used between July, 1989, and June, 1990.

The plan’s first three phases levy surcharges that nearly triple the base water rates of customers who fail to reduce water use by 15%. Phase 4 would require residents to cut use by 20%.

The fourth phase is expected to take effect later this month, after City Council approval. It would prohibit restaurants from serving water unless specifically requested and would limit days and times for lawn watering, crop irrigation and filling pools and spas. Facilities using reclaimed water would be exempt.

City officials, fearing some customers will disregard the ration levels and opt to pay fines or surcharges instead, plan to implement restrictions that would result in installation of flow restricters as early as April 1.

A 10% cutback took effect in February, nearly doubling violators’ base water rates. At the time, city officials had predicted that further reductions of 25% to 35% would be necessary by summer. City officials now predict that a 30% reduction will be implemented by May because of reduced supplies from the Metropolitan Water District, the main supplier of water to Newport Beach.

Hearings on the rationing plan will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Oasis Senior Citizens Center, 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Newport Beach City Council chambers.