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OWASA ends water restrictions, adds year-round rules

Posted on May 29, 2008 by Staff

The drought is officially over, but the Orange Water and Sewer Authority has implemented new year-round rules. OWASA directors voted last Thursday to end water-shortage restrictions and surcharges now that the reservoirs are approaching full. As of Wednesday, University Lake, the Cane Creek Reservoir and the Quarry Reservoir contain about three billion gallons of water, which is about 85 percent of capacity or enough for about 15 months.
OWASA says that with higher levels and reduced demand (from conservation), there is little risk of the reservoirs falling to critically low levels.

But don’t go leaving on the hose. The OWASA year-round conservation requirements are:

• Spray irrigation is limited to a maximum of three days per week (even-numbered addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) and is allowed before 9 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Irrigation is limited to one inch per week.

• Automatic controllers and rain or moisture sensors are required on spray irrigation systems.

• Shut-off nozzles are required on hoses.

• Water waste, such as runoff, to other properties or street right-of-ways, is prohibited.

• Leaks must be repaired by the customer within 10 days of a notice by OWASA.

• Restaurants shall serve water only on request.

• Hotels shall change bed linens only on request or every five days for long-term customers.

• Use of reclaimed water and rainwater is strongly encouraged.

• Dishwashers and clothes washers should be operated with full loads only.

• Use of water saving fixtures is strongly encouraged.

More information is available at owasa.org. —Jack Carley

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