SANTA CRUZ >> An overwhelming majority of Santa Cruz”s residential water customers have kept their consumption within mandated rationing limits and the city is on target to keep overall production below its drought-driven conservation goal, officials said this week.

As of June 20, the Water Department reported that half of the agency”s nearly 22,000 residential customers have been billed for the May to June service period and 94 percent complied with the rationing limits, which are set by the number of people living in single- and multifamily properties from the North Coast to Live Oak.

Calling the results “thrilling,” Water Director Rosemary Menard said, “It means that we have gotten the message out to people about doing their part.”

Of the 6 percent of customers who were fined for using more water than they were rationed, 4 percent exceeded their limit by 10 percent, thus racking up the largest fees of $50 per additional unit of water, which is equivalent to 748 gallons. The remaining 2 percent of excessive users consumed less 10 percent over their limit, the fee for which is $25 per additional unit of water.

To date, the Water Department has billed a total of $182,275 in overuse fees, three-quarters of which were generated by single-family customers. Customers could see their fees reduced or eliminated by attending a water education program or filing appeals.

Single-family residences of four people or less per month are rationed at 10 units of water per month and multifamily residences receive between five and seven units depending on the number of accounts per property. Commercial customers are not covered under the rationing that began May 1.

Ahead of the mandated cuts, the Water Department sent warning letters to customers whose typical use would exceed their mandated limit. One of them was Emerald Bay Apartments, a 200-unit complex on Soquel Drive that water officials have contacted in the past about high consumption.

Pointing to browning lawns and thirsty plants, Mario Marrufo, the residential manager for 18 years, said the property successfully cut use by virtually ending landscape irrigation and washing down parking lots and around trash bins. Letters were sent to tenants, whose homes are not individually metered, urging them to report leaks, minimize patio and balcony plants and conserve indoors.

He said a few residents among the estimated 760 have lamented the dry patches, but he said they seem to understand the need. Although the apartments avoided an overuse fine this billing cycle, Marrufo said any future penalties could translate into a rent increase for tenants.

“Obviously, we are doing our part, so they have to do theirs,” he said, adding he expects the complex will continue its conservation ethic even after the drought. “It”s just time for us to do that.”

The city primarily draws water from the drought-vulnerable San Lorenzo River, North Coast streams and Loch Lomond Reservoir. The city”s goal under the rationing program is to cut overall use by 25 percent through the summer months when demand is highest.

The system”s water production for June has averaged 8.4 million gallons per day, which is lower than the 8.7 million goal set by the city. Last June, the system produced between 10 million and 11 million gallons of water per day.

May”s production also was on target at 8.3 million gallons per day. The reservoir level is holding steady at the city”s desired two-thirds of capacity.

Rationing Limits

The Santa Cruz Water Department on May 1 enacted rationing for residential customers, as well as fees for use in excess of the limits. Here are the details in units per month:

Limits

Single-family properties (4 occupants or less): 10 units

Multifamily properties (2-4 units): 7 units

Multifamily properties (5-20 units): 6 units

Multifamily properties (more than 20 units): 5 units

Fines

$25 for each unit of water up to 10 percent over the limit

$50 for each unit of water over 10 percent of the limit

Note: A unit of water is equivalent to 748 gallons

Source: Santa Cruz Water Department