Simi May Lift Law That Targets Water Wasters

Taking a cue from Gov. Pete Wilson’s declaration that California’s seven-year drought is over, the Simi Valley City Council is preparing to repeal a 1991 city law that makes it illegal to waste water.

At its meeting today, the council will consider replacing the water-waste law with a resolution that would merely encourage residents to conserve.

This resolution would give the city no power to penalize people who hose down their driveways, water their lawns excessively or engage in other water-wasting practices.

Councilwoman Sandi Webb, who also is board chairwoman of the Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8, a local water supplier, has been urging that the mandatory conservation law be lifted.

“I never thought the ordinance did much to send a message in the first place,” she said. “We all know we’re not supposed to be wasting water.”

Simi Valley’s law is similar to those adopted in many California cities after the state endured years of drought. It restricts car washing, mandates the prompt repair of leaky pipes and orders restaurants not to serve water unless a customer requests it.

If the council approves the proposal today, these water restrictions will be repealed, but residents will be urged to continue conserving on a voluntary basis.

Last month, the council decided it would no longer contribute to a rebate program aimed at encouraging residents to switch to toilets that use less water.

After wet winter weather replenished the state’s water supply, the governor declared the drought over in February.

Webb said it’s time to lift the law against water wasting, given that the governor has declared the drought over and the wholesale agencies that provide water to Simi Valley have also ended mandatory restrictions.

“It was an emergency measure passed when we had a drought,” she said. “I think emergency measures should be rescinded when the emergency is over.”

Under the emergency city ordinance, violators first receive warnings, and then can be fined if the wasteful practices continue.

But Ronald C. Coons, the city’s public works director, said that no one has had to pay a penalty since the ordinance was adopted in February, 1991.

“All the customers we had were very cooperative, and no case proceeded to a fine,” he said. “In some cases, they were unaware of the requirements. When they were informed, they were very cooperative.”

Coons said that through April, city residents exceeded goals on water conservation that were established by the city’s water suppliers.

At the time the water-wasting law was enacted, the city hired a conservation coordinator to help enforce the law and to educate residents about how to save water.

Now that the drought is over, Webb believes this job should be eliminated. Coons said Friday he was still preparing a recommendation regarding the post, which will be reviewed by the council at a June 15 budget session.

If the council opts to repeal its water-wasting law, it will not be alone, said Bob Muir, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the region’s largest wholesale water agency.

“Many Southern California cities no longer have mandatory water conservation requirements,” he said. “They’re encouraging voluntary conservation.”

Muir added: “We’re trying to tell people that there were a lot of lessons learned during the multiyear drought. We hope they keep those lessons in mind.”