SLOW YOUR FLOW

Council declares new restrictions on sprinklers



 

 

Despite recent snow- and rainfall, many of the state’s biggest reservoirs remain below 50% capacity. It’s too little to make a dent in the state’s ongoing drought, which is why Camarillo officials are doubling down on the city’s water conservation goal.

Despite recent snow- and rainfall, many of the state’s biggest reservoirs remain below 50% capacity. It’s too little to make a dent in the state’s ongoing drought, which is why Camarillo officials are doubling down on the city’s water conservation goal.

The City Council declared a stage 2 water supply condition Jan. 12, resulting in new restrictions on outdoor irrigation.

Camarillo has been in a stage 1 water supply condition since 2016, which set a 10% reduction goal compared to 2013.

Stage 2 increases the goal to 20%.

Public Works Director Dave Klotzle told the council the severity of the drought is historic.

“It’s been the driest two-year consecutive period on record in California for the water years, which are Oct. 1 through Sept. 30,” Klotzle said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a drought emergency in October. Earlier this month, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted drought-related emergency regulations that give priority to using water for health and safety needs rather than outdoor irrigation.

Klotzle said the long-range predictions do not signal relief, with dry conditions expected to persist through spring.

“The overall California rain forecast remains drier than normal conditions in the foreseeable future,” he said.

Under the city’s stage 1 rules, outdoor water use was restricted to four days a week for residential customers. Under stage 2, watering is only allowed three days a week. Watering days will be assigned based on whether an address is even or odd.

Under stage 2, water leaks must be fixed no more than 48 hours after receiving city notice.

Ornamental ponds can only be filled to sustain aquatic life.

The use of potable water for agricultural irrigation is limited to Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Construction projects will be required to use recycled water if available.

Klotzle said the city plans to increase efforts to inform the public about the need for water conservation and will step up enforcement of the rules.

“Our approach is always for compliance and assistance to water users. Our water staff prides themselves on being communicative and responsive to water customers that might have a leak and they’re not sure what to do,” he said.

Other water conservation measures the city already had in place will also be emphasized, including rebates on high-efficiency fixtures and free surveys of residential irrigation systems.

Camarillo gets 57% of its water from the state water system while 43% is groundwater. The recent completion of a groundwater desalter plant will reduce but not eliminate the city’s need for imported water.

Councilmember Charlotte Craven said the new conservation measures are necessary.

“I think this is good. People realize that rain we had in December doesn’t really get us out of the drought,” she said.