BUENA PARK : Water-Rationing Plan Is Approved

Residents who don’t conserve may be fined under a mandatory water-reduction plan given final approval this week by the City Council.

The emergency ordinance adopted unanimously Monday night sets gallon limits on all residential users. Single-family residences cannot use more than 625 gallons per day, and multi-unit residential and mobile homes are restricted to 425 gallons per unit per day.

Residents can be fined as much as $50 for exceeding the set limits.

Commercial and industrial users must reduce consumption by 5%, based on consumption during the same billing period last year. Failure to comply could result in a surcharge of $25 for each percentage point above the alloted amount.

Several water-saving measures are now mandatory under the ordinance. Decorative fountains or lakes can be filled only with recycled water, and drinking water cannot be served at restaurants unless requested. Limits are also placed on watering lawns and landscaping.

The emergency ordinance was adopted to counter cutbacks imposed by the Metropolitan Water District, which has cut supplies to the city by 30% in recent months, officials said.

Enforcement of the ordinance will begin in September in order to allow water customers time to comply.