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/~ <br />Orange Water and Sewer Authority <br />Response to Comments Received During January 16, 2003 Joint <br />Meeting About Proposed Conservation Rules and Standards <br />Irrigation Issues <br />Comment: Several suggestions were made for greater restrictions (and an exception for <br />public playing fields) on the use of OWASA water for spray irrigation. <br />Response: OWASA supports the irrigation restrictions as drafted, but recommends that <br />total residential water use under a Stage 2 and Stage 3 shortage be limited to an average <br />of 800 and 600 gallons per day, respectively, which is expected to help moderate the use <br />of potable water for outdoor irrigation. Additionally, OWASA's proposed standards <br />(February 19, 2003 version) include additional encouragement of water efficient <br />landscaping, irrigation, and rainwater harvesting. <br />High Water Use By Individual Customers <br />Comment: How would OWASA enforce usage limits? <br />Response: In general, usage limits would be monitored through OWASA's billing <br />system. If, after due process (actual procedures have not yet been established), excessive <br />usage were to continue, the customer's water service would be turned off. OWASA <br />plans to implement a special Water Shortage Fee Surchazge that would substantially <br />increase the cost of water during a declazed Shortage and help reduce the likelihood of <br />any such occurrences. For infractions of other Water Conservation Standards, OWASA <br />would contact the customers and ask for their cooperation, and would seek assistance <br />from local law enforcement only if needed. <br />Comment: OWASA should set very high rates or fines for. customers who exceed <br />established limits. <br />Response: As noted above, OWASA will implement a special "excess use" or rate <br />surchazge to be applied during declared Water Shortages. OWASA does not have the <br />legal authority to levy fines for wasteful water use, but the Towns and County may do so <br />if they choose. <br />Comment: How were the proposed consumption blocks for the residential inverted block <br />rates determined? <br />Response: These were based on the observed average consumption of 6,000 gallons per <br />month by OWASA's residential customers. Billing records indicate that during the <br />declared Water Shortage of July 2002, more than 600 residential customers used more <br />than 30, D00 gallons of water. <br />