FILLMORE : Farming, Industry Water Use Increases

While Fillmore’s residential water customers are consuming less water than they did in 1989, agricultural and industrial water use has risen in the past year.

Agricultural usage was 44% higher in July of this year than during the same month in 1989, and 4% higher in August than the same period last year, city officials said.

Industrial customers conserved 11% in July but used 52% more water last month than in August, 1989. Residents continued to conserve voluntarily, using 2% less water in July and 11% less in August than in the corresponding months last year.

Officials attributed the agricultural and industrial increases in part to the drought conditions that create greater demands for irrigation, summer heat waves and the fact that local citrus packinghouses have been in full production, sometimes running double shifts.

Public Works Superintendent John Kozar said he plans to recommend voluntary reduction to customers exceeding last year’s water usage.

City Manager Roy Payne said that Fillmore is not experiencing a water shortage, but it will monitor consumption, especially if figures continue to show increases.