May 22, 2008
LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2008) – Cooler temperatures and intermittent drizzle in parts of Los Angeles today, with more thunderstorms forecast for the holiday weekend, means less need for outdoor watering, leading the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to urge customers to turn off sprinklers for a day or two or at least reduce the number of minutes per day spent irrigating yards.
All of California is faced with doing more with fewer water resources due to a cut in water supplies from the state water project and other water supplies from the Eastern Sierra and Colorado River.
“Cutting outdoor water use is one of the least painful but most effective ways we can all conserve water,” said David Nahai, LADWP general manager and CEO. “A minute here and a minute there by our four million residents can add up to substantial water savings. With rain in the forecast, customers should let Mother Nature take care of watering the lawn for a couple of days. Doing so will help our water supply and save you money.”
Currently, households in L.A. use between 30-40 percent of water outdoors and in some neighborhoods located in zones with warmer temperatures or with homes on larger lots, households use as much as 70% of their water outdoors.
Last week, Nahai joined with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to announce a 20-year water strategy for Los Angeles and included in their remarks were reminders to Angelenos of the city’s prohibited water use ordinance that has been in effect since the last serious drought in the early 1990s.
The plan calls for real enforcement of city water restrictions that include penalties for excessive watering of yards and watering during peak daylight hours, serving water to restaurant patrons who have not requested it and watering driveways and sidewalks, among other measures.
“Now is the time for customers to cut back on their water use and adhere to the city’s prohibited uses of water. Our water supplies have been cut, and we must all get serious about using less water. It starts with cutting back on outdoor use – especially when the temperature is cool and rain is in the forecast,” said Jim McDaniel, LADWP assistant general manager of water resources.
Conservation, coupled with new strategies to recycle water as well as capture and reclaim more storm water, will help ensure water supplies for the near and long term in Los Angeles.
For further information on LADWP’s water conservation tips and rebate programs, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was established more than 100 years ago to provide a reliable and safe water and electric supply to the City of Los Angeles residents and businesses. The LADWP serves approximately 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water service customers. For more information, log on to http://www.ladwp.com/.
Jane Galbraith, Public Affairs
(213) 367.8721
