Supervisors Approve Water-Saving Measures

Water conservation measures began in the unincorporated areas of the county Thursday when the Board of Supervisors approved cutbacks ranging from no daytime lawn watering to no automatic serving of drinking water in restaurants.

Rationing will be enforced through surcharges on water bills and apply only to the county’s 16 waterworks districts in areas such as Malibu, Topanga Canyon, Marina del Rey and parts of the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

The cuts are the first phase of more drastic rationing expected to begin May 1. The county will be able to require cuts in water use ranging from 10% to 90%, depending on state water supplies. Conservation measures include fines of up to $500 for water wasters.