LA HABRA : City Eases Limits on Use of Water

The City Council has eased restrictions on water use after a significant drop in the amount of water the city has had to purchase in the last few months.

Residents now will be permitted to water lawns between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. instead of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Residents also can wash cars at home on designated days. The previous restrictions required all vehicles to be cleaned at commercial car washes.

Car washing will be permitted between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. at residences on odd calendar days for addresses ending with odd numbers and even calendar days for even-numbered addresses. A hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle and a bucket must be used to avoid excess water runoff.

“We got a lot of calls from residents concerned about how to wash their car during this latest stage,” said Elray Hannah, general manager of the city’s Public Services Department, “so we felt the modifications were acceptable because of the favorable conditions of the last few months. But the citizens of this city must keep conservation as an ongoing process.”

After the council imposed water rationing earlier this year, there was a 78% decrease in the amount of water La Habra purchased from the Metropolitan Water District during March and April compared to the same period last year. Water use from other sources was reduced by up to 25% compared to last year.

Although the city attributes the drop in water use partly to March rains, officials say water conservation practiced by residents also contributed to the savings.

“We felt we could be a little more lenient in our conservation practices, but still maintain conservation,” Hannah said.