The city has established a new water conservation ordinance and created a hotline for residents to report others who use water excessively.

Residents are asked to call a recording at (805) 375-5747 to report any excessive water use. The new ordinance went into effect on June 5.

Those who don't follow the ordinance can be fined $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation within the same year and $500 for each additional violation that year, said Joann Kelly, city resource division manager.

Environmental concerns for the small delta smelt fish have restricted the transportation of water to Southern California from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and recent dry weather has decreased runoff from the Sierra Nevada snowpack. That means arid regions such as Thousand Oaks need to reduce water use.

The city joined other areas served by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a wholesale water supplier, to adopt a consistent water conservation plan.

Since the ordinance went into effect last Friday, watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. When watering is allowed, the duration is limited to 15 minutes per day per station with no excessive water flow or runoff permitted.

Washing hard or paved surfaces is not allowed, so spraying down driveways or sidewalks with a hose is prohibited.

People are asked to report their neighbors' leaks, breaks or malfunctions. After the city serves a notice, residents will have seven days to fix the problems.

"I doubt we'll be fining people for having leaks. Most people want to fix leaks as soon as they know about them because wasting water costs money," Kelly said.

She said the city will work with people to help them find ways to obey the city's water conservation ordinance.

Decorative water fountains and other water features must use water that is recirculated. Most of the city's professional carwashes already use recirculated water and laundry systems, but the ordinance requires any new carwashes to have them. All commercial conveyor carwashes must have them installed by 2010.

Those who wash cars at home must use a self-closing shut-off nozzle at the end of the hose to prevent water running down the street while its not being used to rinse off the car.

Restaurants will only serve water to guests if requested. Hotels must give guests the option to decline fresh linen each day.

Restaurants also are required to use waterconserving dishwasher spray valves.

Single-pass cooling systems may not be installed. These systems, used in air conditioners, refrigerators and ice makers, remove heat by putting it in water and then draining the water away.

In addition to the permanent mandatory measures, there are three increasingly restrictive levels the City Council can declare based on water supply.

For Level 1, watering is limited to three times a week, twice a week during November through March. Leaks must be fixed within 72 hours after notification by the city.

With Level 2, watering is limited to twice weekly, once weekly during November through March. Leaks must be fixed within 48 hours of notification by the city. Filling or refilling ornamental lakes or ponds with potable water is prohibited except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life of significant value. Refilling of more than 1 foot and initial filling of residential swimming pools or outdoor spas with potable water is prohibited.

If the emergency condition Level 3 is called, all watering is prohibited except what is needed to ensure health and safety. Leaks must be fixed within 24 hours of notification. The city may discontinue water service to those who willfully violate provisions of Level 3.

For specific questions about the ordinance or water conservation programs, call the public works department at (805) 449-2400.