THOUSAND OAKS : Water Consumption Drops 31% in July

Thousand Oaks residents and businesses used nearly 31% less water in July than they did during the same period last year, city and water company officials said Thursday.

About 17,000 customers served by the California-American Water trimmed consumption by 31.7%, and 6,600 customers served by California Water Service cut their use by 26.1%, officials for the two companies said.

California-American serves Newbury Park, and California Water Service supplies the Westlake area of Thousand Oaks. About 12,800 customers who get water from the city used 35% less than they did in July, 1990, said Paul Swenson, city conservation coordinator.

The average of the figures from all areas is 30.9%, Swenson said.

July is traditionally the month when residents use the most water, said Judy Almond, district manager for Cal-American. Water officials said the cool weather has contributed to the drop.

It was the fifth month that Thousand Oaks residents reduced consumption under a mandatory water conservation ordinance in effect since March.

After an announcement of a cutback from the city’s primary water supplier, the Calleguas Municipal Water District, Thousand Oaks residents were required to curb consumption by 20%.