With Southern California in the midst of another drought, the four candidates for the Ventura River County Water District Board of Directors agree a way must be found to better secure the water supply for the 2,200 homes in the Oak View area that the district serves.

The district gets most of its water from wells. But lack of rain and a drying aquifer have forced the district to buy water from the Casitas Municipal Water District. To cover the added costs, the Ventura River County Water District has had to pass along a surcharge to its customers.

Newcomer George Galgas, seeking one of three board seats up for grabs in Tuesday's election, said there's no question the district will have to conserve water, given the drought conditions.

He said the district needs to consider mandatory water restrictions that would prohibit residents from topping off swimming pools. The district should also consider restricting outside-water usage under a zone system, he said. Residents living in one zone could use water outside their homes only on even days, and those in the other zone on odd days.

Galgas also said he will not accept any money for attending meetings during his first six months in office if elected. Board members receive $160 a month. "I hope to encourage the incumbents to follow my lead and not accept their monthly fees for the same period of time," he said.

Galgas said he's particularly upset that board members voted themselves a 60 percent raise but did not give employees a pay raise. "We need to take care of our employees first," he said.

Matt Bryant, the district's general manager, said the board voted itself a 60 percent increase in attendance fees, and it took effect in January 2006. Bryant also said the district's five employees received a 5 percent cost-of-living adjustment July 1.

Incumbent Marvin Hanson said the district already is taking steps to conserve water by asking residents to refrain from watering lawns during the hotter afternoon hours. Still, Hanson said, more needs to be done.

"We need to be mindful about not wasting water," he said.

If re-elected, Hanson said, he will work hard to find new sources of water for the district. Hanson said he has learned much about water during his two decades on the board. He said he also spent many years working as a hydrographer.

Incumbent Thomas Jamison said he will work hard, if re-elected, to make the district more self-sufficient. This includes looking at water conservation.

"We also need to continue to look at other ways to get water," he said. That might include digging more wells.

But when it comes to mandatory conservation, Jamison said, he would need to see more evidence that the district is facing a severe water shortage before he would support compulsory cutbacks.

Jamison said he enjoys serving on the board. "It helps keep me active in civic affairs," he said.

Incumbent Eddie Ramseyer said he's running again in part because "water is my favorite interest." Ramseyer said the district needs to make sure it has enough water not only for today and tomorrow "but 50 years from now as well."

He wants the district to look at getting water from Oxnard through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

"Doing so will ensure that we have enough water should Lake Casitas ever dry up," he said.

Ramseyer also does not think mandatory conservation is a necessity. "We are studying various options right now," he said.

He said the state needs to build more water-storage facilities. "Right now, the state is too dependent on the (Sacramento-San Joaquin River) Delta," he said. "If something were to happen to the delta, it would be very serious for all of Southern California."