ORANGE : Anti-Drought Rules Voluntary No More

Mandatory measures to reduce water use by 10% were approved unanimously by the City Council this week.

The program, recommended by the Metropolitan Water District, will make mandatory some voluntary measures passed a year ago and water ordinances already on the books. The new resolution makes it illegal to waste water, and residents who do so risk having their service cut off within five days of a written warning.

Under the ordinance, landscaping may not be watered between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and decorative fountains that don’t use recycled water may not be operated. Hosing sidewalks or driveways, except for health and safety reasons, is prohibited. Restaurants may not serve water except upon request.

The city has not set a date to reach its goal of a 10% reduction in water use and will not designate “water police” to monitor residents or issue fines as other cities have done to ensure that residents comply with the restrictions. However, the city will follow up on complaints about water wasters.

City Councilwoman Joanne Coontz suggested that the city develop long-range water conservation measures and requested staff to report quarterly on the development of possible programs. At a recent study session, recommendations for conservation included the use of drought-resistant landscaping and recycled water at new city buildings, and a more aggressive public information program.

Orange imports about 30% of its water supply from the Metropolitan Water District and pumps 70% of its supply from the ground-water basin.

“We need to establish future water policies for the city of Orange, despite the fact that we are in a fortunate position because so much of our water comes from wells,” Coontz said. “We do live in a desert.”