The Oxnard City Council declared a Stage 2 Water shortage condition within the City and adopted mandatory water conservation measures to address the ongoing severe drought conditions.  The resolution was adopted during the July 29, 2014 council meeting and became effective immediately.
 
The State Water Resources Board (SWRCB) adopted resolution No 2014-0038 on July 15, 2014, in which SWRCB imposes emergency regulation for statewide urban water conservation. This resolution required that water suppliers, such as the City of Oxnard, implement mandatory conservation measures by August 1, 2014.      
 
The City’s resolution, prohibits and imposes a range of water conservation measures that are designed to reduce consumption of potable water in a variety of uses. Residents, commercial establishments, municipal and schools are required to implement the following water conservation measures:

1. The use of running water from a hose, pipe, or faucet to clean buildings, pavement, tile, wood, plastic, driveways, parking lots, and other paved surfaces, is prohibited, except for compelling public health and safety reasons. If allowed, a hose with a positive shut-off nozzle must be used;
2. All restaurants that provide table service shall post, in a conspicuous place, a notice of water shortage conditions and shall refrain from serving water except upon specific request by a customer;
3. Use of potable water to fill or refill recreational or ornamental lakes, ponds or fountains is prohibited;
4. Operators of hotels, motels, and other commercial establishments offering lodgings shall post in each room a notice of water shortage conditions, encouraging water conservation practices;
5. Any use of water that causes runoff to occur beyond the immediate vicinity of use is prohibited;
6. Watering of lawns, ornamental turf, trees, shrubs, vegetation, landscape and other outside irrigation is prohibited except between 4 PM and 9 AM (or 6 PM and 9 AM during daylight saving time), no more than twice a week. Use of a hand held hose with positive shut-off nozzle, bucket, or micro irrigation systems/equipment is encouraged;
7. Irrigation is permitted for ground cover for fire protection purposes and erosion control.
8. Depending on the severity of the water shortage conditions, outside residential, municipal or commercial landscape irrigation may be prohibited.
9. Boats and vehicles shall be washed only at commercial wash facilities that recycle their wash water; by use of a bucket and hose equipped with a self-closing valve that requires operator pressure to activate the flow of water; or by mobile high pressure/low volume professional services;
10. Watering to maintain the level of water in swimming pools shall occur only when necessary. A pool cover shall be used to conserve water when the pool is not in use. Draining of pools or refilling shall be done only for health or safety reasons.
11. Irrigation of parks, school ground areas, and road median landscaping will not be permitted more than twice a week and only if necessary.

Failure to comply and/or implement the water conservation measures is punishable by a fine of up to $100 for a first violation; $200 for a second violation within one year and $500 for a third and every additional violation within one year. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a new and separate offense and may be prosecuted as such.
 
For more information on Oxnard’s Mandatory Water Conservation measure, visit the City’s Water Conservation website.
 
As part of the Water Conservation Program, the City offers programs to residents and businesses. To learn more and to apply for these programs visit www.bewaterwise.com.

SOURCE: www.oxnardnews.org