New technology makes it easier to provide water customers with more up-to-date details about their specific water use, how much water is needed on a daily basis to irrigate their specific landscapes and what amount of water is considered ideal to meet their overall needs.

In short, more information for customers will empower them to be even more efficient with a very precious resource.

Valencia Water Company customers are to be applauded for conserving water. We live in a semi-arid climate, so conserving water and being Water SMART are important regardless of whether we’re in a drought or in years when rain is plentiful.

The Santa Clarita Valley has been fortunate to have a well managed and diversified water supply portfolio – through a reliable groundwater basin, supplies secured outside our region, recycled water, and reserves held in underground storage basins.

Yet, after three consecutive years of drought, imported supplies from the statewide water delivery system are being tested, leading to legislation requiring all Californians to reduce their water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates private water companies like Valencia Water Company, is requiring implementation of these programs.

The Valencia Water Company Water SMART program is a fair and equitable method of providing residents an amount of water calculated to efficiently meet their specific needs. This system is based on extensive national research and local studies.

Calculations take into account lot size, amount of landscaping for each property, and daily weather readings to give each house an individualized allocation. Allocations are divided to show indoor and outdoor amounts. Indoor amounts will generally remain constant, but outdoor amounts will fluctuate depending upon actual weather conditions.

A customer’s individual allocation, how their actual use compares to their allocation, and other helpful details will be provided both on their bills and on their private online accounts on the Valencia Water Company Web site. Log in to your account to see your monthly allocation.

For customers who find themselves in the Inefficient range (see chart), it may take only a few simple steps to bring their water use back into the Efficient level. From experience, we know an “inefficient” water allocation reading may indicate a leaking pipe, a broken sprinkler, a water irrigation controller that might need adjusting, a leaking flapper on a toilet, or a number of other items that can be easily remedied.

Our Web site includes Water Conservation Tips to save water without sacrificing lifestyle, rebate programs to install high efficiency toilets, the free Residential Water Survey program, the free weather based irrigation controller/water-wise landscape classes, and more.

Valencia Water Company is introducing the Water SMART program now with no adjustments in rates. Eventually, most likely by early 2011, Valencia Water Company will assign a tiered rate structure to the allocations (pending CPUC approval).

In the future, customers who remain at or below their allocations will pay the lowest rates. Those who exceed their allocation pay more. Valencia Water Company wants to give customers plenty of time to become familiar with the water allocation program and to make adjustments as needed. This introductory time period also allows for Valencia Water to accept customer requests for adjustments or variances based on such factors as a large landscape area or unique circumstances.