Water use exceeds allotment

The Laguna Beach County Water District call for conservation has fizzled.

“We are still over our allotment,” Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Person announced at the Nov. 3 council meeting.

The council, which sits as the district board of directors, was advised of customers’ failure to reduce water usage, as requested, due to a reduced allocation by the district’s water supplier.

According to a recent issue of the Waves, the district’s publication sent to customers, water usage not only had not met the requested 15% reduction, it increased by 10% in July over the same period last year, perhaps due to the weather. Use increased in the first quarter of the fiscal year — July through September — by more than 2% over the allocation.

Failure to meet the allocation plan could lead to thousands of dollars in penalties, which would translate into higher rates and increased prohibitions on water use.

The district is offering its customers a free Waterwise House Call to assess the household indoor and outdoor water use. Simple conservation measures can result in significant water savings, district officials said.

Other district measures to alleviate the water shortage include a free, four-hour landscape class on Jan. 23 that covers the basics of irrigation systems, watering, fertilizing, design and plant identification. The goal is to acquaint property owners with plants that can resist summer heat, conserve water and save money on water bills.

Class space is limited. Reserve a spot by calling (949) 342-1437.

The district is also participating in talks with other districts about a desalinization project.

Councilwoman Jane Egly has been attending closed meetings on the project, but the meetings will be open to the public, starting Jan. 6.

For more information, call (949) 494-1041.