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Water Shortage Update
Water Shortage Update
On May 22, 2023, the City of Ventura City Council received the Annual Comprehensive Water Resources Report and a Water Shortage Event Update.
Each year, Ventura Water assesses the City’s water supply sources – Lake Casitas, Ventura River, and local groundwater basins – in the Comprehensive Water Resources Report (CWRR). The report evaluates the City’s water supply and demand, while considering future needs, challenges and uncertainties relating to Ventura’s water supply reliability. The results of the CWRR are used in partnership with the Water Shortage Event Contingency Plan (WSECP) to determine whether the City is in a water shortage event.
The 2023 CWRR was discussed and reviewed by the City’s Water Commission from February 2023 to April 2023 and by the City Council in May 2023. The results of the 2023 CWRR indicate that the City of Ventura’s projected water supply is 18,167 acre-feet (AF) and projected water demand is 14,226 AF, indicating that the City of Ventura is currently not experiencing a water shortage event.
Ventura Water customers’ continued water conservation efforts have allowed the City to avoid a critical water shortage situation. Over the last five years, Ventura residents have consistently exceeded conservation goals, conserving an average of 23 percent compared to usage in 2013.
While the City’s supply projections account for this year’s above average rainfall, customers are encouraged to maintain their current level of conservation.
As a reminder, the City will continue to enforce water waste prohibitions, offer water efficiency programs/ incentives, and pursue multi-benefit water supply projects, such as the State Water Interconnection Project and the VenturaWaterPure Program. Ventura Water extends its sincere appreciation to Ventura residents for their continued commitment to improved water efficiency as the State of California shifts towards “making water conservation a California way of life”.
Visit the Rebate and Incentives page to see conservation tools and resources available to Ventura Water customers.
The following water waste prohibitions remain in place:
- Do not allow water to run and be wasted during outdoor use
- Do not allow leaks to persist for more than 48 hours
- Do not use a handheld hose without an automatic shutoff nozzle
- Do not operate fountains unless the water is recirculating
- Do not wash or hose down hardscape surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks
- Do not irrigate outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours of measurable rainfall
Last updated: June 14, 2023
On May 31, 2022, the City Council received the Annual Comprehensive Water Resources Report (CWRR) and a Water Shortage Event Update and authorized the City Manager or designee to expand the public information campaign for water conservation to comply with the State Drought Related Emergency Regulation for Water Conservation as adopted by the SWCRB.
On May 24, 2022, the SWRCB adopted emergency regulations requiring urban water suppliers to implement demand reduction actions identified under Stage 2 of the supplier’s Water Shortage Contingency Plans and to ban irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) sites, effective June 10, 2022.
On March 29, 2022, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22 directing the State Water Resources Control Board to consider adopting an emergency regulation for urban water conservation.
On October 19, 2021, Governor Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency extending the drought emergency statewide to include Ventura County.
On May 24, 2021, the City Council rescinded the Stage 2 Water Shortage Event in the City, effective July 1, 2021. Residents are encouraged to maintain similar levels of conservation and the City will continue to enforce water waste prohibitions and offer water efficiency programs and incentives.
On May 4, 2020, the City Council voted to move to a less restrictive Stage 2 Water Shortage Event in the City effective July 1, 2020, shifting from the Stage 3 Water Shortage Event.
On June 8, 2015, the City Council confirmed that a water shortage event still exists and therefore, the restrictions, regulations, and rates applicable to a Stage 3 Water Shortage Event shall be implemented.
In March 2015, the City Council approved the updated Water Shortage Event Contingency Plan (PDF) to comply with the newly adopted SWRCB regulations.
On September 22, 2014, the City Council declared a Water Shortage Emergency to correlate with the SWRCB's July 2014 action and adopted outdoor watering restrictions to achieve a 20% water use reduction goal. Find more information on outdoor watering limits.
In July 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted emergency regulations implementing mandatory water conservation actions.
In February 2014, the City Council asked customers to voluntarily reduce water usage by 10%.
In January 2014, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency and called on all Californian's to reduce water usage.
Related Resources:
Complete the Form, Email Us, or Call Us
You can also report water waste issues via the Report Water Waste Online Form or contact Customer Care at our email or (805) 667-6500 with the address and information about the problem.
Investigation a Priority
Please know that while City staff will investigate all reports and offer assistance in resolving the problem, to protect our customer's privacy, we will not provide feedback to reporters regarding our specific follow-up actions. If you see the water misuse again after 7 days, please submit another online report. Also, we would appreciate your contact information in case there are questions but you may report online anonymously.
Stop Wasteful Habits
Be Diligent About Tasks
We will need to work together to stop water waste. First, be diligent about watching for and repairing leaks promptly. As an older city, the aging pipes in our homes and businesses are more susceptible to developing leaks.
Review Bills, Call Your Plumber
Carefully review your water bill for unusual water use and learn how to check your meter. You may have a leak that is costing you money and wasting our water. Call your plumber, sooner rather than later, if you suspect a problem.
Talk to Community
Let's help each other stop water waste. If you spot a leak or other water waste activity, talk directly to your neighbor or the business owner. Many times they are not aware of the problem, especially with outdoor irrigation systems, so it's a neighborly action to let them know.
Dear Neighbor Door Hanger Directions For Use
- Print form
- Fold lengthwise in half (tape edge, if desired)
- Cut out the circle at the top of the page so that it can fit over a door knob
- Check appropriate box to alert them to the issue
- Hang on door
- What are the State’s Emergency Water Conservation Regulations?
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On March 29, 2022, in response to the third consecutive year of drought conditions throughout the State, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22 directing the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to consider adopting an emergency regulation for urban water conservation. With direction from the Governor, the State Water Resources Control Board unanimously adopted emergency drought regulations on May 24, 2022, requiring urban water suppliers to implement demand reduction actions identified under Stage 2 of the supplier’s Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Additionally, the SWRCB has implemented a ban on the irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) sites, effective June 16, 2022.
For more information, please refer to the State Water Board’s water conservation emergency regulations webpage: bit.ly/conservationreg.
- Is the City currently experiencing a Water Shortage Event?
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Each year, Ventura Water assesses the City’s water supply sources – Lake Casitas, Ventura River, and local groundwater basins – in the Comprehensive Water Resources Report (CWRR). The report evaluates the City’s water supply and demand, while considering future needs, challenges and uncertainties relating to Ventura’s water supply reliability. The results of the CWRR are used in partnership with the Water Shortage Event Contingency Plan (WSECP) to determine whether the City is in a water shortage event.
The 2022 CWRR was discussed and reviewed by the City’s Water Commission in March and April 2022 and by the City Council in May 2022. The results of the 2022 CWRR indicate that the City of Ventura’s projected water supply is 17,224 acre-feet (AF) and projected water demand is 14,970 AF, indicating that the City of Ventura is currently not experiencing a water shortage event.
While the results of the 2022 CWRR indicate a local water shortage event is not triggered, on May, 31, 2022, the City Council authorized the expansion of a public information campaign for water conservation and the implementation of Stage 2 Water Shortage Event demand reduction measures to comply with the State Drought Related Emergency Regulation for Water Conservation as adopted by the SWCRB. In response, the City is encouraging residents to take indoor and outdoor conservation measures to voluntarily reduce water use by up to 20 percent. At this time, the City is not implementing Water Shortage Rates, however stricter measures including Water Shortage Rates could be implemented if demand reductions are not achieved.
- Does the City have restrictions on outdoor watering at residential properties?
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Currently, the City does not have restrictions on outdoor watering for single family residential customers.
The City will be enforcing the irrigation ban on non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and Institutional (CII) properties and common areas maintained by homeowners associations.
The State has defined non-functional turf as, “a ground cover surface of mowed grass that is ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreational purposes. Non-functional turf does not include school fields, sports fields, and areas regularly used for civic or community events." Failure to comply may result in a fine of up to $500 from the SWRCB.
Additionally, the following water waste prohibitions remain in place:
- Do not allow water to run and be wasted during outdoor use
- Do not allow leaks to persist for more than 48 hours
- Do not use a handheld hose without an automatic shutoff nozzle
- Do not operate fountains unless the water is recirculating
- Do not wash or hose down hardscape surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks
- Do not irrigate outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours of measurable rainfall
- What actions is the City taking to address the drought?
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On May, 31, 2022, the City Council authorized the expansion of a public information campaign for water conservation and the implementation of Stage 2 Water Shortage Event demand reduction measures. Based on the directions from the City Council, the City will continue to enforce water waste prohibitions, offer water efficiency programs/ incentives, and pursue multi-benefit water supply projects, such as the State Water Interconnection Project and the VenturaWaterPure Program.
Additionally, the City’s Parks department has established watering priorities and has stopped irrigating non-functional turf areas, including the turf areas at City Hall.
Ventura Water will continue to assess short and long-term water supply and demands through various planning efforts including the Annual CWRR and the Urban Water Management Plan to ensure a balanced and stable water future. Staff will also continue to closely monitor any updates or changes to the emergency order by the State Water Resources Control Board.
- Why does the City of Ventura continue to issue building permits?
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State law specifically does not allow a city to waive its responsibility to plan for housing growth because of water supply challenges. However, the City has policies in place to ensure new developments is investing in our water and wastewater systems and contributing to future water supply projects.
In 2016, the City adopted a water neutral development policy known as the Water Rights Dedication and Water Resource Net Zero Policy. The Net Zero Policy Ordinance requires new development to offset new or increased water demand through one or more compliance options, including dedication of water rights, extraordinary conservation measures, and/or payment of a fee. The fee proceeds go towards paying for future water supply projects, so that existing rate payers do not absorb the entire cost of necessary future water supplies.
In addition, new developments are required to incorporate water efficiency into building design such as installation of high efficiency plumbing fixtures and water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems.
For development questions or additional information, contact Community Development at [email protected] or call (805) 654-7869.
- How can I get my water use information?
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Customers can proactively monitor their water consumption through the Web Connect portal. With Web Connect, customers have instant access to hourly water use data, leak alerts, water bills, payment options, and more. You can learn more about Web Connect’s features here.
- How can we continue to use our water efficiently indoors and outdoors?
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- Use a broom to clean outdoor areas
- Adjust sprinklers to water plants, not the pavement
- Use mulch on soil surfaces
- Water plants early in the morning
- Replace overhead irrigation with drip irrigation. See the City’s Irrigation Retrofit Program.
- Install a rain barrel to capture rain. See discount voucher here.
- Consider replacing your high water use lawn with a climate appropriate landscape. See the Water Wise Incentive Program.
- Use recycled water for outdoor irrigation. See the City’s Mobile Reuse Program.
- Fix indoor and outdoor leaks
- Upgrade your washing machine to a qualifying high-efficiency washing machine and apply for a rebate here.
- Upgrade your toilet to a qualifying high-efficiency model and apply for a rebate here.
- Replace your irrigation controller with a Smart Controller. See the City’s Irrigation Retrofit Program.
- Replace sprinkler nozzles with high efficiency options. See the City’s Irrigation Retrofit Program.
- Ventura Water provides free conservation surveys and water efficient devices. Contact Customer Care at via email or (805) 667-6500 for more information.
- How can I stay informed about Ventura’s water issues?
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Ventura Water customers have many ways to stay connected:
- Signup to receive Pipeline, our monthly e-Newsletter.
- Like us on Facebook.
- Contact Customer Care at (805) 667-6500 or [email protected].