Publisher’s 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 Board’s (State Board) recent adoption of emergency regulations for statewide urban water conservation, including mandatory restrictions and potential fines for violations of the State Board’s 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 Board’s new restrictions on outdoor water use.

In addition to the four prohibited activities listed above, the State Board’s 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:

• Even addresses: Monday and Thursday
• Odd addresses: Tuesday and Friday
• Irrigation watering must be done before 7am or after 7pm.
• Limit watering to no more than 10 minutes per sprinkler zone.
• No watering on weekends.

We also recommend that you adjust your sprinklers to prevent any runoff. Please do not water continually for more than an hour.
Further information may be obtained from Lukins Brothers Water Company’s local business office at 530.541.2606 or by visiting our website.

Again, Lukins Brothers Water Company wants to thank you in advance for helping us manage what has become the most serious drought in California’s history.

Jennifer Lukins