Letter: Lukins taking steps to curtail water use

Publishers note: The following letter was sent to Lukins Brothers Water Company customers on Aug. 28. It is a similar message other water districts in the Lake Tahoe Basin are sending to customers. Dear Customers,

Lukins Brothers Water Company, Inc. would like to thank you for your continued efforts in conserving water. All of your voluntary efforts have contributed to an overall reduction in water consumption of 6 percent between June/July 2013 and June/July 2014. In order to help manage limited resources during current drought conditions, the California Public Utilities Commission has ordered Lukins Brothers Water Company Inc. to notify its customers of the State Water Resources Control Boards (State Board) recent adoption of emergency regulations for statewide urban water conservation, including mandatory restrictions and potential fines for violations of the State Boards regulations. Your continued cooperation and support is needed to ensure reliable supplies of water for your comfort and necessary use.

The State Board has determined that the following water use activities by Lukins Brothers Water Company customers are not allowed:

1. Watering outdoor landscapes in a way that causes water to runoff onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.

2. Washing a vehicle with a hose without a shut-off nozzle or other device that will immediately stop the flow of water when not in use.

3. Using drinking water to wash driveways and sidewalks.

4. Using drinking water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is recirculated.

Violation of any of these four prohibited or restricted water use activities may be punished by a fine of up to $500 for each day in which the violation occurs.

Please note that such fines are a last resort and that they may be assessed only by local law enforcement authorities. Lukins Brothers Water Company would like to thank its customers who have voluntarily conserved water up to this point and asks that you continue these efforts and comply with the State Boards new restrictions on outdoor water use.

In addition to the four prohibited activities listed above, the State Boards new regulations require Lukins Brothers Water Company to inform their customers that they must limit outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf with drinking water to no more than two days per week. Lukins Brothers Water Company amended watering schedule and guidelines is as follows:

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Letter: Lukins taking steps to curtail water use