Ventura River watershed’s 5 major urban water suppliers
are described below.
Click on the map to see the boundaries of these water districts.
11 smaller mutual water companies and 8 private water companies
also serve water in the watershed.
To report a minor leak, call the appropriate water district below.
To report a major leak, call 911.
Casitas Municipal Water District
805/649-2251 www.casitaswater.org www.facebook.com/fbsitecasitasmunicipalwaterdistrict
Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD) is the primary water supplier in the watershed, providing water to both water resale agencies and retail customers. The City of Ventura is Casitas’ largest customer.
One of CMWD’s important functions is to serve as the “backup” water supply for a number of their customers, including 9 water suppliers as well as farmers, when groundwater supplies become depleted.
CMWD’s service area encompasses 150 square miles and includes the city of Ojai, Upper Ojai, the Ventura River Valley area, the city of Ventura south to about Mills Road, and the Rincon and beach area to the ocean and Santa Barbara County line.
CMWD gets its water from Lake Casitas, which is fed by both the surrounding drainages and water diverted from the Ventura River. The district also operates 1 well in the Mira Monte area.
Ventura Water (City of Ventura)
805/667-6500 (805/650-8010 – emergency after hours) www.cityofventura.net/water www.facebook.com/venturawater
Ventura Water is the name of the City of Ventura’s department that supplies water, treats wastewater, and manages stormwater. Ventura Water’s service area comprises several watersheds, including the lower part of the Ventura River watershed east of the Ventura River (primarily the Westside).
Lake Casitas is one of Ventura Water’s primary water supply sources. The water received from the lake may only be used within Casitas’s service area, which extends to about Mills Road. Ventura Water operates 4 groundwater wells at Foster Park (one of which is not currently operational because of damages sustained in the 2005 flood), and both a surface and subsurface intake on the Ventura River at Foster Park (though the surface diversion has not been operational since the mid-1990s). Ventura Water also depends upon groundwater from sources in the Santa Clara River watershed.
Golden State Water Company
800/999-4033 www.gswater.com/ojai
Golden State Water Company is the only private water company in the watershed. They operate 5 wells and get water from Lake Casitas. Golden State’s service area includes the city of Ojai proper and some fringe county areas outside the city.
Ventura River Water District
805/646-3403 www.vrcwd.com
Ventura River Water District is a small water district that provides water to the area stretching from the southwestern edge of the city of Ojai down to the northern half of Oak View, and in the eastern half of Casitas Springs. The district obtains water from 4 wells located adjacent to the Ventura River. Water from Lake Casitas is used on a regular basis for some connections, and the district also uses water from Casitas during emergencies and drought conditions.
Meiners Oaks Water District
805/646-2114 www.meinersoakswater.org
Meiners Oaks Water District is a small water district that serves water to the Meiners Oaks community on the east side of the Ventura River. They operate 5 wells. Water from Lake Casitas is infrequently used as backup, such as during extended drought periods.