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Newport to assign lawn-watering days and take other water-saving steps

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New rules for water use went into effect for Newport Beach water customers this week.

The City Council declared a Level 1 water-supply shortage Tuesday, putting into place conservation regulations that comply with a recent state mandate.

Under the regulations, lawn and landscape irrigation is limited to four days per week from April through October and two days a week from November through March. Customers will be assigned to groups with designated watering days. City staff plans to send out notification cards and make the schedule available online.

Irrigation of fruit trees and vegetable gardens is permitted on any day, according to a staff report.

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A customer’s water use should not exceed the average of the amount used during the past three years, the report said.

Other rules require that pipe breaks and leaks be repaired within 72 hours of notification. Fountains cannot be refilled more than once per week, and pools cannot be filled more than one foot per week.

Violations can be penalized with fines of $100 for a first infraction, $200 for a second and $500 for a third, the report said.

Other city rules in place since 2009 will remain, prohibiting activities such as causing runoff from irrigation, hosing off sidewalks or watering lawns during rain.

For more information, go to https://www.newportbeachca.gov/water or call 949-644-3388.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall

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