Voluntary Conservation Measures

Since 2006, Park Water Company (Park) has believed that we could secure adequate water resources by making the right choices and necessary investments, and by relying on our customers’ commitment to conservation and efficient water use. However, unforeseen circumstances are resulting in significant impacts on our future water supply. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) has been faced with extended drought conditions and court decisions that are severely limiting their ability to move water across the estuary in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta and down to Southern California.

Over the past two years, Metropolitan has depleted more than a third of its water reserves to deal with extended drought conditions and it will take a significantly above average rainfall season to alleviate this condition. The Delta’s environmental problems are driving regulatory actions that have drastically changed the landscape of our water supply picture. Metropolitan normally receives 66% of the imported water for Southern California from the State Water Project (SWP). Metropolitan has received preliminary notification that this supply will be reduced to 15% of a normal supply year. Although this reduction may change based on the rainfall we receive this year, it still sends a solemn message up and down California that we all must immediately reduce water use to stretch available supplies.

The following websites are resources that provide information about California’s water situation:

In order to meet long-term water supply deficiencies, Park has implemented precautionary measures for added reliability. Each of Park’s three water systems has at least two sources of supply. We utilize wells to pump water from below ground aquifers and purchase treated imported water from the Central Basin Municipal Water District which wholesales water from Metropolitan. Park has been working to secure additional supplies of local groundwater to augment reductions in imported supplies. We have also implemented tiered conservation rates for our residential customers to encourage conservation practices.

 

To further maximize available supplies, our Tariff Rule No. 14.1, Water Conservation and Rationing Plan has been officially implemented. Effective immediately we ask that all of our customers voluntarily comply with the following:

Customers shall not use utility-supplied water for non-essential or unauthorized uses as defined below:

1.      Use of water through any connection when the utility has notified the customer in writing to repair a broken or defective plumbing, sprinkler, watering or irrigation system and the customer has failed to make such repairs within 5 days after receipt of such notice

2.      Use of water which results in flooding or run-off into gutters, waterways, patios, driveways, or street

3.      Use of water for washing cars, buses, boats, trailers, aircraft, or other vehicles without a positive shut-off nozzle on the outlet end of the hose

4.      Use of water through a hose for washing buildings, structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas in a manner which results in excessive run-off or waste

5.      Use of water for more than minimal landscaping in connection with any new construction

6.      Use of water for outside plants, lawn, landscape, and turf areas more often than every other day, with even numbered addresses watering on even numbered days of the month and odd numbered addresses watering on the odd numbered days of the month. This provision shall not apply to commercial nurseries, golf courses, and other water-dependent industries

7.      Use of water for watering outside plants and turf areas using a hand-held hose without a positive shut-off nozzle on the outlet end of the hose

8.      Use of water for decorative fountains or the filling or topping off of decorative lakes, or ponds. This provision shall not apply to decorative fountains, lakes, or ponds which utilize recycled water

9.      Use of water for the filling or refilling of swimming pools

10.  Service of water by any restaurant except upon the request of the patron

All the above measures should be implemented within the boundaries of health and safety. For a complete list of measures including exceptions, or if you are a business or industrial customer, please go to www.parkwater.com, click on Rates & Tariffs, then to Rule No. 14.1 Water Conservation and Rationing Plan.

Free conservation kits are available at our office. If you are interested in a residential water audit, or more information on efficient water use practices, contact our conservation coordinator at 562.923.0711 x 1252.