COUNTYWIDE : Group OKs Plan on Water Conservation

A countywide drought task force approved a plan Monday that members hope will set standards for water conservation throughout Ventura County.

The plan calls on all of the county’s 10 cities to adopt resolutions declaring a drought emergency and to adopt their own blueprints to ease the effects of the extended drought.

Drought solutions should include both water conservation and development of new water sources, such as desalination of sea water and reclamation of treated sewage water, the plan says.

The plan outlines water rationing and conservation programs now in effect in various cities and water districts in the county. It also asks that Ventura County assume the role of drought coordinator for cities and water districts in the county, Supervisor John K. Flynn said.

“The county will coordinate all the drought plans and act as an exchange for information among all the cities,” Flynn said. “The county could also offer new suggestions for conservation.”

Flynn formed the task force with representatives from the county’s 10 cities, the largest water districts in the county, and business and agriculture. The task force has no authority or money now to study or undertake projects.

“What is needed now is an organizational structure that has more authority to move toward reclamation projects and in the direction of desalination,” Flynn said.

The task force meets again in two weeks.