Valencia Water Co. is providing customers with updated personal drought reports that are intended to encourage continued water conservation as California enters a possible sixth drought year.

Although state-mandated water reductions were lifted earlier this year, VWC is encouraging all customers to continue their water-saving ways and not lose valuable investments that created water-efficient homes and businesses.

“Personal drought reports remain an important resource for our customers who want clear, concise information about the most efficient use of water in their homes and businesses,” said Ken Petersen, General Manager for Valencia Water Co.

The updated drought reports show exactly how much water a customer saved in 2015, the year when mandatory water restrictions were in force. The objective is to remind customers how successful they were in saving water without significantly impacting their lifestyle. At the height of state-mandated reductions, VWC customers were reducing water use by more than 35 percent – one of the largest efforts in California. To date, VWC customers have saved more than five (5) billion gallons of water since the voluntary conservation requests and mandatory restrictions were imposed.

“We are grateful for the significant efforts made by our customers these past two years and look forward to working together for continued water conservation steps in the coming months,” Petersen said.

Petersen added that while recent rains show promise of filling the state’s reservoirs, it remains essential that everyone plan for a drier-than-normal winter. Experts say recovering from a long-term drought will require multiple years of normal or above-normal seasons of precipitation.

Another popular tool still offered by VWC is the “Water SMART Workshop,” an interactive online class that provides customers with information on how to remain water efficient, how to analyze their bill, and more. Customers who complete the course receive a $20 credit on their water bill. Since April of this year, more than 600 customers have logged on and completed the online workshop with resounding success.

Additionally, VWC customers can take advantage of rebates for water-saving devices and monitor their water use online with a secure drought tracking tool connected to their accounts.

With cooler weather and shorter days, VWC customers also are being reminded to reduce their outdoor watering schedules. One of the biggest wastes of water occurs in the fall when irrigation timers remain in a hot-weather mode, said Matt Dickens, VWC’s resource conservation manager.

“If you haven’t adjusted your sprinklers, now is the time. Plants, trees and lawns need comparatively little water this time of year,” Dickens said.

Dickens also reminds VWC customers that many state regulations to prohibit water waste remain in place for all Californians. These include:

* No watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff;

* No washing down sidewalks and driveways;

* No washing a motor vehicle with a hose, unless the hose is fitted with a shut off nozzle;

* No operating a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is part of a recirculating system;

* No irrigating turf or ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation;

* No irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public medians

* Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers on request; and

* Hotel/motel operators must provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily.

More details are available on the Valencia Water Company website www.valenciawater.com or by calling 661-294-0828. For regular WaterSMART tips and updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ValenciaWater. Together, we’ll save water.

About Valencia Water Company

Valencia Water Company serves approximately 97,300 people in the Santa Clarita Valley, including Valencia, Stevenson Ranch and portions of Newhall, Saugus and Castaic. Valencia supplies its customers with high-quality water supplied from local wells and from imported supplies. Valencia has served the Santa Clarita Valley since 1965. Valencia Water Company can be reached at: www.valenciawater.com or 661-294-0828.