OCEANSIDE — Reservoir bathtub rings showing drops in stored water levels and restrictions on importing water have proven good reason to reduce water use in California since September 2007, when the “20 Gallon Challenge” first asked residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use. Now efforts to conserve water have been stepped up in Oceanside following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s declaration of a state drought June 4.

City Council took action to ensure extreme water conservation measures are in place and passed a city code amendment that lays out a four-phase drought response plan June 18. The plan calls for increased conservation efforts and preparation for a water shortage.

“We had the driest spring on record in Northern California,” Ken Weinberg, water resources director for San Diego County Water Authority, said. “We’re in a very serious situation.”

With an eight-year drought in progress, surplus water is no longer available, Weinberg said. He stressed that extraordinary conservation measures need to begin immediately.

Up to this point, conservation efforts have made an impact. “Your city and San Diego County in general are ahead of the curve,” Weinberg said. Residential, business and agriculture cutbacks in water use have helped.

Weinberg encouraged homes and businesses to continue with the “20 Gallon Challenge.” “Anything we save, especially this summer, is something we can put in storage,” Weinberg said. Tips to meet the “20 Gallon Challenge” include fixing leaky faucets, running full wash loads and cutting back on watering landscape to two to three times a week.

Beyond voluntary conservation efforts, Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lonnie Thibodeaux said there is a need to have more extreme conservation measures in place, up to the level four measure which asks for a 40 percent reduction in water use. The conservation measures OK’d by council will go into effect with public notice and council approval as water needs arise.

Past successes and ongoing efforts to reduce water use and diversify water supplies were discussed including the use of “smart controllers” that stop water runoff, and ongoing plans for a desalinization plant.

A workshop on the Water Utilities Master Plan was held June 25 to look at current and future water supplies, and review a phased plan to improve the efficiency of water systems for water, recycled water and wastewater.

Tips to conserve water can be found online at www.20gallon challenge.com.