Stats – May 2015 Lake Casitas 48% – approximately 6 year supply Groundwater depth in the Ojai Basin 2015 – 226 feet 1951 – lowest measurement 322 feet 1978 – highest measurement 38 feet When the aquifer is at 100% the level would be 50 feet Severe droughts occurred in 1951 and 1964
Rainfall
– season is from October 1 – September 30
2014 – 2015 – 9.79 inches
2013 – 2014 – 9.16 inches
2012 – 2013 – 11.35 inches
2011 – 2012 – 29.27 inches
2010 – 2011 – 24.08 inches
Average 21.32 inches
Based on average from 1957 -1992
Record low – 6.88 inches in 1924
Record high – 49.20 inches in 1998
Water Companies In and Around Ojai
Casitas Municipal Water Company Golden State Water Company Siete Robles Mutual Water Senior Canyon Mutual Water Hermitage Mutual Water Ventura Water Company Meiners Oaks Water District Rio Manor Mutual Water Company
Lawyers Guns and Money
The Santa Barbara Channel-keeper, an environmental group, filed a suit against the City of Ventura for harming the Ventura River watershed by taking too much water from the river. Ventura then filed a “cross claim” against 8 Ojai water companies along with 400 “John Does” or owners of wells that draw from the groundwater in the Ojai basin.
Governor Signs Executive Order for Cutbacks
Gov. Jerry Brown signed an executive order calling for a statewide reduction of water use by 25%. Requirements for cutbacks vary water providers throughout the state and Ojai’s local Golden State Water Company is required to reduce usage by 36% !
City of Ojai
The well moratorium continues.
Ventura County
On October 28, 2014, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance (Ventura County Ordinance No. 4466) restricting the issuance of new water well permits in portions of the unincorporated area of Ventura County. The attached map shows those unincorporated areas subject to these restrictions.
The restrictions apply to the construction of new water wells and the modification or repair to existing water wells where an application for a well permit was submitted after October 22, 2014. There are exceptions for certain repairs or modifications that do not increase capacity, as well as for back-up or stand-by wells. In addition, there are provisions whereby the Public Works Director may waive the restrictions.