[VWC] – Effective immediately, all Valencia Water Co. customers are now restricted to watering landscapes to twice a week and cannot water between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Under the twice-weekly watering schedule, customers with addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) can water on Monday and Thursday; customers with addresses ending in an even number (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) can water on Tuesday and Friday. No outdoor watering is permitted on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday.
Valencia Water Company’s board of directors today adopted a series of watering restrictions to comply with the California Water Resources Control Board’s mandate of VWC to reduce water use by 24 percent for the next several months.
Under rules adopted today, the following activities are prohibited within the Valencia Water Company service area:
* The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, and/or structures.
* The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use.
* The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks.
* The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
* The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measureable rainfall.
* The serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased.
* Irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians.
* The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
* The irrigation with potable water of outdoor lawns, turf, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on all days, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or for very short periods of time for the purpose of evaluating, adjusting or repairing an irrigation system.
Penalties and Enforcement
Valencia Water Co. is conducting visual inspections as well as responding to calls about apparent water-wasting activities. For a first violation of the above prohibited activities, a written notice will be provided to the customer by mail or personal delivery. Any leak notifications must be repaired within 48 hours. For a second violation, a second written warning in the form of a non-compliance notice provided to the customer by mail or personal delivery.
For third and subsequent violations, a fine of $50 per violation will be imposed with an increase of $50 for each subsequent violation up to a maximum of $500 per day. Continuous violation may result in the installation of a flow restrictor or water service shutoff.
Dedicated irrigation meters may be shut off immediately when a leak is observed and notice of violation is provided to the customer by mail or personal delivery. The leak must be repaired before water service can be turned on.
California is now in the fourth year of an extreme drought. The year began with a lack of snowpack and state reservoirs far below normal. Under state rules that went into effect June 1, Valencia Water Company is required to reduce water use by 24 percent from 2013 levels. This requirement remains in effect through February 2016.
“Valencia Water Company believes its customers, who have responded very well so far to the call to save water, can take the necessary additional steps to meet our mandate of a 24 percent water reduction,” said Keith Abercrombie, VWC general manager. “However, we also want to remind customers that additional restrictions and actions may be necessary if we don’t achieve the required level of water-use reduction.”
Earlier this year, VWC’s board adopted a new rate structure with a provision to enact a “drought smart allocation” system as needed. If necessary, the modified allocation system can be implemented to send additional and more severe pricing signals to customers who exceed their monthly allocations.
Valencia Water Company customers are encouraged to take advantage of free water-saving fixtures offered by VWC, as well rebates for other water-saving devices such as drip-irrigation systems and high-efficiency toilets. Valencia Water Company customers also can receive a free water survey of their home. Water-saving ideas, rebate forms and more details are available on the Valencia Water Company website www.valenciawater.com or by calling 661-294-0828.
About Valencia Water Company
Valencia Water Company serves approximately 118,000 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. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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97 Comments
What is not stated in the article is what the city is doing, what days they are allowed to water parks, mediums and all city property. My grass is already brown at three days a week. Watering 2 days is going to be of no use
The city is water company customer just like everyone else. (The city does not provide water.) The city is bound by the same restrictions as everyone else.
But if you get fined, taxpayers pay which is the homeowners. Also notice the parks and school grounds are very green.
TimBen Boydston pls comment on this, will the fine come out of the city “budget” and not down to the people of Santa Clarita
How about also stop over populating this city if there is not enough water
It’s called do as your told not as I do what a joke
My grass is dying also
Are we allowed to do lawn replacements like they’re doing in L.A.? Where they are replacing the entire front lawn with rocks and plants scattered throughout? I haven’t seen anyone doing it around SCV. My lawn is tiny and doesn’t qualify for the CLWA lawn replacement program that they’re offering, but if we can do away with the lawn completely and have rocks instead, that would be great. It looks a lot better than all these yards with dead grass. You can find pictures of what I am talking about on the Turf Terminators website.
yes, and it’s possible that the water companies will help pay for it. You need to contact your water company about that.
So if the city gets fined, it is just passed down to those who pay taxes
exactly.
Some point there has to be a way to look at households and 2013 water usage versus today and impose higher restrictions to those that have not already made cutbacks. Many have, yet many don’t and those that care are paying the price for those that don’t
What is the what the school district doing too.
Time for everyone to look into: “drip irrigation” technology
Roman Rokita
Desalination NOT Crazy Train!!!!
German Gonzalez
Ohh but hurricane harbor is open ?
I’m pretty sure that water is re-circulated.
Ewww …
They still have to water city hills on a different schedule because of fire danger, and the city is changing out plants to more drought resistant types. At the end of the day, it’s not a watering vegetation issue, it’s businesses and households that are not careful about showers, laundry, and just overall conservation etc. But the only thing they can visually look at and fine is sprinklers, so that’s what they go to. If everyone just did their part to conserve we wouldn’t have to do this. They should leave it up to households to decide how to cut back and place a mandatory % less use on books from 2013 usage, and fine anyone who doesn’t meet that goal.
Already have done thay
That
So are all the shower at the parks/water parks, campgrounds and beaches. How about hand sanitizers in the rest rooms instead of running water??
Did awesome town just loose some of thier awesomeness……. insert sarcasm lol
Whoa
Dianne Curtis this could mean a lot to patio washer off’ers.
We need to get the water police. I’m sure someone could go to jail for this offense.
Big time offender
And what about this bs that I witnessed today at 2:40 pm by Walmart at Rye Canyon.
They say to report to water company
I think a petition should be started to add to the ballet in November that cities are not allowed to pass down fines to the taxpayers. That all new construction must stop and that water companies can not raise prices because now they are loosing money because people are cutting back.
The electric company asked everyone to cut back, realized they lost money so therefore raised rates
That might be private land. Still can report it though.
A lot of people would support a petition like that. Trouble is, cities don’t have printing presses that make money; the only money they have to pay fines with is tax money. Also, a lot of people would like to see cities have the ability to suspend the U.S. Constitution and deny landowners their constitutional right to improve (i.e., develop) their property, but so far, cities haven’t been able to do that. (Theory being, if a city could deny one person his or her constitutional rights today, it could deny yours tomorrow.)
A lot of people would support a petition like that. Trouble is, cities don’t have printing presses that make money; the only money they have to pay fines with is tax money. Also, a lot of people would like to see cities have the ability to suspend the U.S. Constitution and deny landowners their constitutional right to improve (i.e., develop) their property, but so far, cities haven’t been able to do that. (Theory being, if a city could deny one person his or her constitutional rights today, it could deny yours tomorrow.)
Hey, California! As I look at the map, the world’s largest ocean is just to the left. Desalinate, and stop voting for idiots!
We’re paying for decades of bad city and state management. Maybe in the future they’ll pay attention to infrastructure to keep up with population even if it’s not going to help their reelection bids.
Stevenson Ranch fountains are still on!!!! Is that exempt?
How does this water schedule work if the system we use can’t be programmed willy nilly?
We already have it set for every 4 days. We can’t program specific days. Does the state want to subsidize upgrades to existing systems?
And if you use the restroom… If yellow let settle… If it’s brown flush it down. That’s next
I said this same thing!!!!!
What about golf courses?
I think a petition should be started to add to the ballet in November that cities are not allowed to pass down fines to the taxpayers. That all new construction must stop and that water companies can not raise prices because now they are loosing money because people are cutting back.
The electric company asked everyone to cut back, realized they lost money so therefore raised rates
Here’s something we ran last week …. http://scvnews.com/2015/06/10/city-to-eliminate-last-grass-from-medians-shutting-off-fountains/
And who is picking up that bill. TAXPAYERS
I’ve noticed the medians with grass that are now turning brown. I’m happy to see the city doing their part. Somewhat.
It’s terrible that the water/soda/tea bottling plants are using the water from Shasta without limit. #Governor Jerry #Brown should be focusing on limiting commercial use and water bottling as well as construction. So many new projects are in the works and they use water to keep the dust down! ALL should have to limit useage.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-shasta-bottled-water-20150510-story.html#page=1
How bout california should of been saving water for the last 10 yrs. The shortage of water isn’t new.
Politicians go for the flashy projects to make a name for themselves and help their reelection campaigns. Reservoirs didn’t make the cut unfortunately.
Politicians go for the flashy projects to make a name for themselves and help their reelection campaigns. Reservoirs didn’t make the cut unfortunately.
I think a petition should be started to add to the ballet in November that cities are not allowed to pass down fines to the taxpayers. That all new construction must stop and that water companies can not raise prices because now they are loosing money because people are cutting back.
The electric company asked everyone to cut back, realized they lost money so therefore raised rates
Why don’t we stop building houses! Get rid of the train going no where and build desalination plants.
We’ve been doing this for two years now only our hours are never between 10-6. So far nothing has died. Of course we now have too much rain- sorry I can’t send you any
What were we just talking about this morning!!
Wait until October when you go to one day!!
What more do they want of us?? We’ve installed low flow toilets and shower heads, sprinklers, bubblers and faucets. Planted trees and landscape which in-turn produce oxygen and help reduce our air pollution. (Some seniors are so scared by the water shortages that they are only flushing toilets once a day.) Gov. Brown has known that the drought cycle was coming around again…heck, we’ve all known. What has he done? His answer is to reduce consumption. But personal consumption of water is only 5% of CA water usage. He recently said that he personally, will only shower every other day….is that really going to help? There should have been longterm plans in place, ex. Desalinization plants, waterpipe from Oregon/Washington. We have American engineers working in the Middle East on ways to maximize and bring water to deserts. Why aren’t we utilizing this technology?
Yet, Nestle, Crystal Geyser and WalMart are paying virtually nothing for hundreds of millions of gallons of water that they pump from our ground water, bottle and sell back to us.
Let’s put the high speed train on hold and make this water issue a non-issue.
I encourage everyone to pay more attention, call out the Governor and get a little mad! Let’s protect and preserve our great state!
Desalination plants would be the best option for California. DUBAI get its water from these plants and they have green grass and flowers in the middle of the desert. But Government Brown would rather spend billions on a speed rail train to San Francisco. Why? Because he is probably getting a bigger piece of the pie.
Yes, Gov Brown wants the high speed train to be his legacy. Clearly, he’s not putting the immediate needs in CA first.
It’s all about his legacy. Unfortunately for him, his legacy will be his selfishness and how he was a pain in the ass regarding water use without offering any solutions.
It’s all about his legacy. Unfortunately for him, his legacy will be his selfishness and how he was a pain in the ass regarding water use without offering any solutions.
All the new houses being built, and all the new plants and trees in all the mediums on the roads require water. Yes, Gov Brown No Need for this high speed train!!
Wow! One of the most astute, to-the-point, and factual comments I’ve read on this issue. I’ve called and written … it will take more of us to do the same. Message me and let’s see if we can brainstorm and grow a broad, collective response. Is it time for a Statewide Initiative (or a fast-tracked lawsuit) to force all bottling of water to immediately stop in CA until the drought concludes … or to force the redirection of State funds from the “bullet train” to water management projects, etc.? It’s time for community and citizen ACTION that brings about what so many of us are talking about!
Wow! One of the most astute, to-the-point, and factual comments I’ve read on this issue. I’ve called and written … it will take more of us to do the same. Message me and let’s see if we can brainstorm and grow a broad, collective response. Is it time for a Statewide Initiative (or a fast-tracked lawsuit) to force all bottling of water to immediately stop in CA until the drought concludes … or to force the redirection of State funds from the “bullet train” to water management projects, etc.? It’s time for community and citizen ACTION that brings about what so many of us are talking about!
I’m on the other side of town so we already have these restrictions in place. What I don’t get is why we were allowed to increase to 3 days and now during a heat spell have to drastically cut. We have an ordinance for our district with an exception that allows landscape plants and tree watering by bucket.
Go to inspect all the apartment communities by Sierra high way and soled ad canyon, specially River Park Apartments, Park sierra , and Colony Townhomes, you will see what’s happening
Maybe us SCV Citizen’s should start sending fines and bills to the City of Santa Clarita for over planting our streets and excessive water use themselves, while all of us are losing lawns, plants etc.. How is this right, they water the streets more then I watered my lawn.. This is a Joke!!
Or all the homes they continue to keep building…
Interestingly, in addition to the 2 days per week, the Santa Clarita Water District limits watering to 10 minutes per station Per watering day. I don’t see that stipulation for the Valencia Water Co. Mandates.
Fire season should be fun……
Did I miss 2 days a week for what period of time?
Indefinitely
Did I miss 2 days a week for what period of time?
Indefinitely
I mean for 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 30 minutes. It doesn’t state how long you can water.
Until October and 10 min per station according to the signal news paper
Until October and 10 min per station according to the signal news paper
Has anyone else noticed all the water main breaks throughout LA? That’s wasting more water than anything. Pretty soon we will all be told to take a shower twice a week. This is stupid
Has anyone else noticed all the water main breaks throughout LA? That’s wasting more water than anything. Pretty soon we will all be told to take a shower twice a week. This is stupid
NO crazy train. I don’t know anyone who wants it for all the extra taxes we have to pay!!!!
I have been on a 2 day water cycle for almost 2 years my grass is great I water 8 am
Stop expecting the desert and your city leaders to be something they are not. You can fix one but not the other, too bad the one that can be fixed won’t and the other will get some nonsense reason for it being what it really is.
Stop expecting the desert and your city leaders to be something they are not. You can fix one but not the other, too bad the one that can be fixed won’t and the other will get some nonsense reason for it being what it really is.
This is not about a lack of water its about control of water.. We need to remove the crazyies in Sacramento.. We live in a desert this is not a new development we have not built a new reservoir or enlarged one in this statevsincw the 1930s and of course the reasons are as always environmental.. U get what u vote for wake up
Jeremy Froman
Just do your part and don’t worry about the guys next door
How about California use the 68 billion dollars to help bring water to this state instead of Moonbeams train to BFE!!!! On a more local level…..STOP OVERBUILDING!!!!!
I was at a Board of Superviors session where water districts (including Castaic) were there asking for permission to raise rates because their customers did such a great job of reducing water usage. The public commented and told the water companies to reduce their staff and shut off unneeded water pumps since their customers were using less.
BOS approved the price hike – it’s a rate increase over 3 years or something.
So many pinheads in position of power not listening to reason.
So you cut make while Valencia Water and Dan Masnada say there is plenty of water for the Newhall Ranch project? Is this fair? When Castaic Lake Water Agency illegally bought Valencia Water from Newhall Land and Farming in Dec. of 2012, part of the deal promised that they would serve ALL Newhall Land’s (owned by out of state Lennar Corp) Westside projects – Newhall Ranch, Stevenson Ranch phase 5 in Pico Canyon and all these new Entrada (another 3000 units) tracts. So your Water Agencies did you in, John Q. Public. Its developers first in this Valley until someone throws the bums out at election time.
People like my neighbor who wastes water by leaving his hose running for hours, broken sprinklers, etc will not have a problem cutting back. Guys like myself who have energy efficient everything and saved for years now have to cut back 24%. Doesn’t seem right to me?
Put a stop to Building more home and commercial building. There a lot of commerical building that are half empty in Santa Clartia.
CA has not built a water damn in over 30 yrs. We allow TRILLIONS of water to flow into the ocean. We value a bait fish over feeding America. We haven’t put any significant investment into water infrastructure. We lose 30 – 40% of the water in the aqueduct to evaporation because it’s still an open concrete and dirt levee system. We haven’t invested in making desal more energy efficient. We haven’t built recycling plants or reservoirs to make any real difference. If CA would have invested in water storage, drip irrigation for farming, infrastructure, desal, updated the aqueduct after the last drought over 20 yrs ago, WE COULD BE SELLING WATER AS A COMMODITY. We allow the water supply to be cut off for a bait fish and trillions of gallons are dumped in the ocean all over the state and we wonder why we have no water?? Stop blaming the climate. Stop blaming ppl taking showers and watering grass. Start holding the real culprits accountable and force them to fix it. Or replace them. Drought is inevitable. Water shortage is preventable.
Please answer for me how it is legal for a private agency to fine the public. I want to see the law that permits this. Water district companies in SCV are for profit private companies.
All landscaping in Southern CA needs to be switched out with drought tolerant plants. No more grass which requires an exceptional amount of water to maintain. Plants, rocks, etc., similar to Arizona.