BREA : Mandatory Water Rationing Voted

The Brea City Council implemented mandatory water rationing Tuesday night that will require consumers to cut usage by 10%.

Mayor Wayne D. Wedin said: “There’s no question this is serious. We are all going to have to work together in order to make it happen.”

The plan, approved unanimously by the council, places limitations on both commercial and residential water use. It mandates a 10% reduction by users, and water use is expected to be further restricted in the next few months, according to Pat McCarron, director of maintenance services.

Under the mandatory cutbacks, which were implemented under Stage 2 of the city’s water-conservation plan, residents and commercial business owners may water lawns and landscaping only on “designated irrigation days,” which are determined by street numbers. It allows watering from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on specified days.

Washing cars and filling of swimming pools, spas and ponds are also restricted to designated irrigation days. Hosing down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas or other paved areas, along with the operation of ornamental fountains, is prohibited. Agricultural lands and commercial nurseries are exempt.

Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.

Brea gets 85% of its water from the Metropolitan Water District and the remaining 15% from ground-water supplies.