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This is an open letter to OWASA customers. For the first time in our community's history, water conservation standards are now in effect year-round for OWASA customers As the chair of the OWASA board, I want to discuss this new approach and the reasons that we asked the local governments to adopt it. Why should we practice conservation year-round? *Because water is a precious resource that we should not waste. Ben Franklin said that we don't know the value of water until the well runs dry. However, with the drought of 2002 still fresh in our memories, we believe there is a keen awareness of the need for ongoing conservation. *Because conservation practices will help shield us from the effects of future droughts. We do not know when the next drought will occur or how severe it will be, but we need to be prepared for it. The new conservation ordinance is an important element of our overall approach to future water supply and demand issues in our community. We are continuing to review long-term demand projections and future water supply scenarios, evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of recycling highly treated wastewater for appropriate purposes, and we are considering other ways to achieve long-term conservation. *Because conservation will help us maximize the benefits and extend the sufficiency of our locally protected, high-quality water supplies. Our lakes are full, but we should remember the lessons of 2002 in making water conservation a regular habit in our daily lives and a key part of our plans for our homes, workplaces and our community. Conservation doesn't require us to turn our lives upside down. By conserving water, you can save money on water and sewer bills and hot water heating costs. Conservation is not the only solution or the complete solution to our water resource needs, but it is part of a sustainable water management strategy that will strengthen our community, the quality of our lives and our children's lives. During this month, OWASA will mail customers a brochure with information about the following year-round conservation standards, which would apply unless there is a formally declared water shortage. Here is a summary of the year-round conservation standards: *Spray irrigation is limited to three days per week between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., and to a total of one inch per week. Spray irrigation is permitted at odd addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and at even addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. *Watering with a hand-held hose or can, drip irrigation, soaker hoses, micro-spray system, etc., is allowed on any day and at any time of day, with the one inch per week limit. The limits above do not apply to newly sodded lawns and landscaping in the first 30 days after planting, or to newly seeded turf within the first six months of planting. *Irrigation systems must have automatic controllers and rain or soil moisture sensors. Hoses for outdoor watering must have automatic shut-off nozzles. *Low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators and use of rainwater stored in rain barrels or cisterns are strongly encouraged. *Dishwashers and clothes washers should be used only with full loads or with the water level appropriate for the load size. *Restaurants may serve water only on request. Hotels may replace bed linens only on request, when occupancy of a room changes, or once every five days. *If OWASA notifies a customer of a leak, the customer must fix it within 10 days. In coming weeks and months, OWASA will emphasize informing customers about the new conservation standards. For information, call 968-4421, or e-mail webmaster@owasa.org or visit the OWASA Web site at www.owasa.org. Bernadette Pelissier is chairwoman of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority's board of directors. |
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