Reduced Water Use Urged in Repair Area

Ventura County residents from Thousand Oaks to Oxnard who are served by the Calleguas and Las Virgenes municipal water districts are asked to conserve water beginning Friday while a major supply line to the region is shut down for repairs.

The conservation request affects residents of Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Camarillo Heights, Oak Park and the Santa Rosa and Las Posas valleys.

The work should be completed by Wednesday.

“We’re asking people in these communities to help by putting off or cutting back on their outdoor water use, including car washing, landscape watering, pool filling and hosing down pavements,” said Jay Malinowski, chief of operations for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “This cooperation will ensure that local water utilities will be able to meet everyone’s essential water needs over the next few days.”

Residents of the affected areas may notice a slight difference in the taste of their tap water. The Las Virgenes and Calleguas districts will rely on limited reservoir supplies and backup connections during the repair work.

Metropolitan is closing down its 3 1/2-mile underground Newhall Tunnel to inspect for damage following last weekend’s earthquakes. The tunnel brings water from Northern California.

In addition, a system that collects oil from adjoining natural oil fields will also be repaired. Two 25-member crews will work 12-hour shifts around the clock to complete the work.