NEWBURY PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As we enter spring without significant rainfall, it is becoming clear that we are entering our fourth year of severe drought. On April 1, 2015 Governor Jerry Brown issued mandatory statewide water restrictions and ordered the State Water Resource Control Board to implement mandatory 25 percent water usage reductions. The State Water Resources Control Board will vote in May to adopt some of the rules contained in the Executive Order, but Californian American Water customers should adopt good water habits today.
California American Water customers in Ventura County did a great job in February of this year, reducing water use by 18 percent when compared to February of 2014. “I want to acknowledge the good work and offer a sincere thank you to our customers who responded to our call to action and reduced their water use,” said Director of Operations Garry Hofer. “I also want to let them know what water restrictions they can expect and what programs, services and rebates we have available to help residents further reduce their water use.”
Effective April 15, the State Water Resource Control Board has implemented statewide mandatory water usage restrictions. Failure to follow these statewide restrictions may result in fines or the shut off of water service. Measures include:
- No watering lawns or landscapes with potable water 48-hours following measurable precipitation
- No washing down sidewalks and driveways
- No irrigation overspray onto sidewalks and driveways
- No washing a vehicle with a hose that DOES NOT contain a positive pressure shut-off nozzle
- No use of fountains and decorative water features that DO NOT recirculate water
- Water agencies will be required to notify customers when they are aware of leaks that are within the customer’s control
- Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers on request
- Operators of hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels or linens laundered daily and prominently display notice of this option
While strides have been made to reduce water usage by more than 20 percent, California American Water wants to help customers save even more water. In the Southern California region, many people don’t realize that outdoor water use accounts for 60 percent or more of water use for the average home. California American Water offers a number of programs and rebates to help customers reduce water use including:
- Waterwise surveys that can help all customers learn about their water usage, identify leaks and adjust irrigation controls and get expert advice on water wise landscaping. An onsite auditor will come to your home, free of charge, to make suggestions about how you can save water
- Rebates for turf removal, smart irrigation timers, rotating sprinkler heads, which is available on www.amwater.com/caaw under the Conservation and Rebate page
- Free water smart devices like garden hose shut off nozzles, shower timers, water efficient showerheads and moisture meters, which are available at all California American Water offices
- Free manuals for all irrigation systems from saveourwater.com to help schedule proper watering schedules
California American Water is also recommending customers to irrigate outdoors for no more than two days per week. Additional information about summer watering schedules will be communicated to all customers later this spring.
“When it comes to conservation and reducing water usage, customers should look outside first,” said Hofer. “If the only time you walk on your lawn is when you mow it, this is the year to consider converting to a beautiful water efficient landscape.”
There are also water savings to be found indoors. California American Water encourages customers to save water in the house by:
- Fixing leaks promptly
- Signing up for a Waterwise survey to learn about their usage, identify leaks and learn which appliances and fixtures can be replaced to reduce water use.
- Submitting or requesting a rebate for water efficient toilets, washing machines and more
- Requesting free low flow showerheads, faucet aerators and other items.
- Running full loads in the dishwasher or laundry
- Using a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways instead of the hose
- Use a bucket in your shower to catch excess water and use it to water your plants
California American Water’s helpful website has information about all of our conservation programs, services and links to owner’s manuals for most irrigations controllers. Customers can also use the website to report water waste. Customers can sign up for a Waterwise survey, get free devices, report waste or learn more about rebates by calling our conservation hotline at (805) 498-1266, ext. 2809.
For more information on water survey calls, rebates or free devices, please visit www.californiaamwater.com . To obtain free irrigation program manuals, customers can visit http://saveourwater.com/what-you-can-do/tips/
California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:AWK), provides high quality and reliable water and/or wastewater service to approximately 600,000 people. California American Water’s Ventura County service district includes approximately 20,000 households and businesses and serves a population of approximately 60,000 in the cities of Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and the community of Newbury Park as well as unincorporated portions of Ventura County.
Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 45 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
