June 02--Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to adopt a conservation plan that would penalize heavy water users in the Antelope Valley, Malibu and Topanga areas.
Under the proposal -- intended to allow the county to comply with state drought mandates -- most commercial water users and multifamily residential units in the Antelope Valley that are served by the county waterworks district will be required to cut back 32% from their 2013 usage. In the Malibu and Topanga areas, the reduction will be 36%.
For most single family residential customers, the target figure would be calculated based not on their own usage but by deducting the percentage reduction from the entire area's average usage in 2013. That has drawn an outcry from residents with large families or properties, some of whom would be required to cut their use 90%.
Those who go over the target will eventually face penalty charges that would double or triple the cost of water.
During the first year, the fines will be reduced: The surcharge will be halved, so people who slightly exceed their allotment will face a bill 150% higher rather than 200%. However, if they exceed the target by more than 15%, the bill will be doubled.
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, whose district includes Malibu, requested the initial reduction to give residents time to adjust.
But Kuehl said, "I do very much support the surcharge because it is a way to say to people we're really serious about this. People are in denial about this."
All surcharge revenue will be placed in a special account to pay for water conservation efforts.
Armand Fagan of Lake Los Angeles, an unincorporated community in the Antelope Valley, said many residents of that area have livestock and won't be able to meet the cuts or afford bills that could jump by hundreds of dollars a month.
"This is not a wealthy district out here," Fagan said. "Please consider the penalties you're trying to impose on us."
Karen Gekelman, who lives in Topanga and will be required to cut usage by as much as 70%, said she and her husband have already reduced their water use, including limiting the number of times they flush the toilet and not washing her hair every day.
"What do I have to do now? Shower once a week or sponge bathe forever?" Gekelman asked.
Gary Hildebrand, deputy director of the county's public works department, said the plan was meant to reward people who are already conserving and shift the burden to heavy users.
"The purpose for using the average method was to recognize exemplary water conservation methods among our customers," he said.
Hildebrand said households with more than four people or other special circumstances will be able to appeal the charges. More than one-third of customers in the Antelope Valley and nearly half of those in the Malibu district are already using less water than the target figure, water officials said.
The supervisors also agreed to look at adding more workers to deal with water bill appeals and to hold community meetings in the affected areas to give customers information about the plan.
The county is also required to reduce urban water use in Marina del Rey, Kagel Canyon, Val Verde and Acton by 25%. Residents in those areas will be restricted in their outdoor watering, but will not face surcharges for excess use.
