After California’s record dry start to the year, efforts to conserve water have created a patchwork of rules for residents that sometimes vary by city or even neighborhood.
Emergency regulations have come into effect statewide, banning water waste and requiring water suppliers to address a 20% water shortage.
Meanwhile, Southern California’s Metropolitan Water District has imposed stricter rules for several communities in Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. Those areas must reduce their water use by 35% or face a ban on outdoor irrigation as early as September.
Here’s what the rules in Ventura County mean. Some cities have several water suppliers. You can find your water supplier here.
Related:Southern California residents cut water in drought of “epic proportions”
Throughout the state of California
At a minimum, all areas fall under California’s emergency regulations which include:
- Turn off decorative water fountains.
- No outdoor watering within 48 hours of rain.
- Use a self-closing nozzle on the water pipe.
- Use a broom, not water, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
- Avoid overwatering the trees.
- No irrigation of decorative lawns on commercial, industrial and institutional properties.
Camarillo
Areas, including Camarillo, provided by the Calleguas Municipal Water District have had to reduce outdoor irrigation to one day a week or find other ways to save 35%. Metropolitan supplies water to Calleguas, which supplies imported water for several local towns.
Municipality of Camarillo:
- Outdoor watering for residential customers is limited to one day per week before 8:00 or after 18:00. Home addresses ending in an even number can water on Tuesdays for 15 minutes. Addresses ending in an odd number can water Thursday.
- Exceptions include drip irrigation systems that deliver less than 2 gallons per hour. Residents can also water trees, shrubs, and ground cover with a bucket or hose with a self-closing nozzle. Excessive watering is prohibited.
- The city could fine residents up to $ 1,000 and install a flow restriction device for multiple violations.
- More info: cityofcamarillo.org/savewater.
Camrosa Water District:
- Outdoor watering is limited to one day per week and allowed for 10 minutes before 9:00 am or after 5:00 pm. Home addresses ending in an even number can water the lawns on Tuesdays and odd addresses on Thursdays.
- Exceptions to watering one day per week include manual irrigation and drip irrigation for trees and other plants – excluding turf – to protect against erosion and fire.
- The agency can fine clients up to $ 500 and install a flow restriction device for multiple violations.
- More info: camrosa.com/dought.
Several small districts also supply water to parts of the city. Here is a map to search for your water supplier and contact information.
Fillmore
- City officials have no additional restrictions.
Read more:Oxnard limits outdoor irrigation as a city has been struggling with drought
Moorpark
Ventura County Aqueduct District areas provide water services to Moorpark, Somis, Lake Sherwood, and Bell Canyon. Those areas limited outdoor irrigation to one day.
- Outdoor watering is allowed for 15 minutes before 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm. Homes with even addresses can water on Sunday and odd addresses can water on Saturday.
- Exceptions include low-flow drip irrigation, recycled water, and manual irrigation to keep trees, shrubs and plants alive.
- Violations can result in penalties of $ 100 to $ 500 or the installation of a flow restriction device in the event of multiple violations.
- More info: vcpublicworks.org/wsd/waterconservation.
Park of the Oak
Oak Park residents get their water from the Triunfo Water and Sanitation District, which has reduced outdoor irrigation to one day a week.
- Customers can choose the day to water. Sprinkler irrigation is limited to 15 minutes.
- No watering from 9:00 to 17:00, except when using a bucket or hand hose with an automatic water shut-off device.
- Exceptions to watering one day per week include manually watering trees and other perennials, as well as using low-flow drip irrigation or recycled water.
- Violations can result in penalties ranging from $ 100 to $ 250 or the installation of a flow restriction device in the event of multiple violations.
- More info: triunfowsd.com.
Ojai
The Casitas Municipal Water District provides most of the drinking water to residents in the city of Ojai. The district receives no imported water and operates Lake Casitas, a reservoir that provides drinking water for the Ojai and Ventura Valley.
Casitas has declared a Phase 3 water shortage, a level first reached more than five years ago at the height of the 2012-16 drought. Since then the council has maintained a mandatory 30% reduction in water consumption.
- Residential outdoor irrigation is only allowed between 18:00 and 10:00
- Exceptions include irrigation with recycled water, rainwater or manual irrigation using a hose with a shut-off nozzle.
- More info: casitaswater.org.
Related:Camarillo, Thousand Oaks limits outdoor watering to once a week
Oxnard
The city, which supplies a mixture of groundwater and water imported from Calleguas, has limited outdoor irrigation to one day per week.
- Home addresses ending in an even number can water outdoors on Saturday night before 9am or after 6pm for 10 minutes. Addresses ending in an odd number can water on Sunday evenings.
- Exceptions include drip irrigation systems and other highly efficient irrigation systems that apply a weekly water volume consistent with irrigation one day per week. Residents can also water trees and other perennials with a container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
- Residents can be fined up to 50% of their most recent bill or $ 50, whichever is greater for violating water restrictions. Residents can report potential violations by calling 311 or using the 311 app.
- More info: oxnard.org/city-department/public-works/water/ or 805-385-3905.
Port Hueneme
- From April to September, outdoor watering is limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays before 9am or after 5pm
- Exceptions include low-flow drip irrigation that produces no more than 2 gallons of water per hour or hand irrigation with a bucket or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Outflow is prohibited.
- Washing vehicles is prohibited unless using a portable bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle or in a commercial facility that uses a water recirculation system.
- Residents can be fined up to $ 500 for violating restrictions. The city could also install a flow restriction device for multiple violations.
- More info: ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/1037/City-of-Port-Hueneme-Drought-Information.
Santa Paola
- City officials have no additional restrictions.
Simi Valley
District 8 of the Simi Valley City Aqueduct and the Golden State Water Company provide water to the city’s residents. Find your service areas on this map.
Simi Valley City Aqueduct District 8:
- Outdoor watering limited to one day per week before 9:00 am or after 5:00 pm Residents with even addresses can water on Sundays and those with odd addresses on Saturdays.
- Water no more than 15 minutes. The time limit is expected to drop to 10 minutes next week.
- The city has no exceptions to one day a week irrigation for manual watering of trees and shrubs.
- Residents can be fined up to $ 500 for multiple violations. If the violations continue, the city can install a flow restriction device.
- More information: simivalley.org/waterconservation.
Golden State Water Company:
- Outdoor watering limited to one day per week before 8:00 or after 19:00 Residents with even addresses can water on Sundays and those with odd addresses on Saturdays.
- More info: gswater.com.
Thousand Oaks
The following rules apply to all homes within the city of Thousand Oaks, regardless of the water supplier. Customers of water agencies with stricter rules must adhere to these regulations. Find your water supplier here.
City of Thousand Oaks:
- Outdoor irrigation limited to one day per week. Residents with odd addresses can water before 8:00 am or after 6:00 pm on Saturdays, and those with even or no addresses can water on Sundays.
- Residents can water on the designated day for up to 15 minutes, but must use a low-flow or drip irrigation system.
- Exceptions to the irrigation rules include recycled water or manual irrigation with a container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle to keep trees and shrubs alive. All watering is limited before 8:00 or after 18:00
- Residents can be fined up to $ 500. After a fifth violation, the city will install a flow restriction device and assess another $ 500 fine.
- More info: toakswater.org.
Ventura
The city’s water supply comes from the Ventura River, groundwater, Lake Casitas, and a small amount of recycled water.
- Along with state regulations, the city is urging residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 20%.
- Residents can be fined up to 50% of their monthly water bill or $ 50, whichever is greater, for multiple violations. If the violations continue, the city can install a flow restriction device.
- More information: cityofventura.ca.gov/885/Ventura-Water.
Have a question about water conservation measures in Ventura County? Please let us know by sending an email to cheri.carlson@vcstar.com.