Santa Cruz ends mandatory water rationing by switching to voluntary

Steep fees for high-water usage are being put on hold in Santa Cruz. With a big winter storm on the way later this week, the local water company is deciding to loosen restrictions in place because of the drought. On Monday, NewsChannel 5 found out residents in Santa Cruz still plan to conserve, because they say enough rain is never promised.

Residents dropping off a payment for their water bill may get some relief this month. This comes as The Santa Cruz Water Department decides to suspend penalties for high water use. Homeowner Jeremy Mathews showed NewsChannel 5 the investment he made this week, in a new washer which he says weighs his clothing to see how much water it actually needs. Between the washer and a high-efficiency water heater, his family plans to continue conserving regardless of rainfall totals.

“We’re not watering the yards and the lawns and we’re taking shorter showers. We have three teenagers in the house. So it’s difficult but we’re making do with that,” Mathews said.

Even though Mathews said he hasn’t had to pay steep penalty fees like some residents. He thinks the water department’s move from mandatory to voluntary water rationing, may be a mistake.

“I don’t know why they’re lifting the penalty, I think we should just conserve water indefinitely going forward,” Mathews said.

Starting with the December billing cycle, the water department says it will stop charging fees for over usage because so far it’s seen above-average rainfall. But with 60 inches of rain needed by spring and about 13 inches accumulated so far, that doesn’t mean the drought is over. Customers will still need to stick to their budgeted amount, otherwise those fees could return. Mathews hopes his neighbors continue their conservation habits as well.

“From what I’ve heard, people in Santa Cruz have actually been the best in restricting their intake over the entire state and that Southern California is using up more than their share. So I’d like to see everybody on the same page,” Mathews said.

The water department plans to announce recommendations to the city in January, as it continues to monitor the supply very closely. The San Lorenzo River is now flowing the way it should be during the winter, allowing the city to stop pulling water from Loch Lomond Reservoir.