OXNARD : Codes Amended to Reduce Water Use

The city of Oxnard, faced with a new requirement to cut water consumption by 20%, has amended its plumbing code to require water conservation devices in all new construction, city officials announced last week.

The amended plumbing code requires that all new residential, commercial and industrial buildings be equipped with low-flow shower heads, toilets and urinals.

The code also applies to new additions and to alterations of buildings where new plumbing fixtures are installed.

Low-flow toilets are defined in the code as any toilet using a maximum of 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Low-flow urinals are allowed a maximum of 1 gallon per flush, and low-flow shower heads cannot spray more than 2.5 gallons per minute.