BREA : City Rescinds Parts of Water Ordinance

Residents will no longer have to worry about watering their lawns on specific days because the City Council this week rescinded portions of Brea’s water conservation ordinance.

Saying the restrictions imposed “unjustifiable burdens on the city’s water customers,” the council agreed to lift certain portions of the ordinance that restricted watering to an odd-even day system.

“We are just saying we are all mature,” said Councilman Burnie Dunlap. “Do it (conserve water) in a way that suits your lifestyle.” Despite the changes, Maintenance Services Director Pat McCarron said he believes the city will still meet its mandatory reduction goal of 10%.

Other restrictions concerning the washing of automobiles, filling swimming pools and watering golf courses were also removed. However, watering down hard surfaces such as driveways and serving water in restaurants without a customer’s request is still prohibited.

Another slight change, prompted by Councilman Ron Isles, allows residents to water down their patios.

Isles, who lives in Olinda Village, a horse-ranching community in Carbon Canyon, complained that a fine dust got on his patio that could not be removed without water. “I am going to be watering down my patio,” said Isles during the debate. “I don’t want to be breaking a city ordinance every time I do.”

He argued that residents should be entitled to use their monthly water allotment however they chose, as long as they stay within the conservation limits.

After Isles threatened to make the city clerk read the eight-page ordinance aloud if his amendment was not given consideration, the council agreed to include it.

Also approved Tuesday night was the addition of an appeals board to hear complaints by water customers. City Manager Frank Benest will appoint board members, the council decided. Residents dissatisfied with Benest’s decision can appeal to the council.