Some Thousand Oaks irrigation controllers are about to get "smarter," but the move toward more efficient sprinkler management in the city will cost taxpayers about $255,000, officials said.

On July 14, the City Council unanimously approved authorizing staff members to advertise and get bids for the purchase of 70 centralized irrigation controller systems to be installed at 30 locations citywide.

The sprinkler controllers will be used on city-owned landscape that requires the most water, said Mark Watkins, public works director.

The new system allows for the programming, monitoring and operation of multiple sites from a computer at a central location.

Each new controller can be connected to the Internet and receive real-time weather updates, which it uses to program itself for optimum watering. Each controller will be able to initiate shutdowns, monitor flow limits and perform other status checks, the report said.

A new city water ordinance, now at Level 1, permits Thousand Oaks residents to water their lawns no more than three times a week. Water leaks must be repaired within 72 hours after notification by the city.

If water consumers, including the city, don't voluntarily reduce consumption by 15 percent compared to last year, a $4-million fine will be imposed on the city's water company.

That fine would be passed on to customers and would increase water bills by about 33 percent, said public works director Mark Watkins.

Other restrictions passed by the City Council on June 5 prohibit watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and for more than 15 minutes per day per station. The law also bans excessive water flow or runoff and the hosing of paved surfaces.

In addition, fountains and water features must use recirculating water, car washing at home must be done with a selfclosing shutoff nozzle on the hose, and restaurants may provide drinking water only if the customer asks for it.

A hotline to report excessive water use has been established at (805) 375-5747.