Culver City : 20% Water Cutback Seen

A mandatory water cutback of 20% for residents is expected to go into effect May 1, according to a representative of the Southern California Water Co., which serves Culver City.

Kirk Brewer, the company’s metro division director, told the city’s Redevelopment Agency Monday night that despite savings by Culver City residents of about 18% over a four-month period last year, they will still probably have to cut back water use to 80% of what it was in 1990 to help the company ration its drought-reduced water allotment.

Fines are expected to be $2 for every extra 748 gallons above a household’s allotment for each billing period.

The council was concerned that the anticipated restrictions will hurt residents who have already been saving water but who will now have to save more. But Brewer said many residents will fall below a baseline of monthly usage the company plans to establish to protect people who already save water.