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Drought forces watering restrictions in Los Angeles
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed new restrictions on watering Tuesday as the drought continues in California. Under the proposal, about 4 million residents will be limited to outdoor watering two days a week, down from three.
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday announced LA has now entered Phase 3 of water conservation efforts.
"The first three months of this year were the driest ever recorded in California," Garcetti said in a press conference Tuesday.
Reservoirs are low. The drought is intense, and State officials say its getting worse. Despite all this, residents used more water in March than any march since 2015.
Now, about 4 million residents will now be limited to outdoor watering two days a week, down from three.
Residents with odd-numbered street addresses will be permitted to water on Mondays and Fridays, while those with even-numbered addresses will be permitted on Thursdays and Sundays.
Sherman Oaks homeowner Leslie Berlin was glad to hear that because she hasn't been happy with the way the City has dealt with water. She says, "I feel the city hasn't done enough for us and I feel all of us have rationed enough." But on today's restriction she says, "well, I'm happy that it is two days." To homeowner Jim Jordan it is fine. He says, "I've been watering my front lawn and my plants here twice a week for a couple of years and I don't see a problem with it."
Additionally, watering with sprinklers will be restricted to 8 minutes per station. Officials said sprinklers with water-conserving nozzles will be limited to 15 minutes per station. Berlin says, "I'm very happy about that because I installed them."
All watering will have to be done in the evening or early morning, with no watering permitted outdoors between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Those with pools are strongly recommended to use pool covers to decrease evaporation, and it is strongly recommended to wash vehicles at commercial car wash facilities.
The proposal still requires LA city Council approval and then would be implemented June 1.
The city also announced a slew of water conservation rebates to help residents conserve water amid the drought.
Residential
- High-efficiency clothes washer: Up to $500
- Premium high-efficiency toilet: Up to $250/unit
- Turf replacement: $3/square foot
- Weather-based irrigation controller: Up to $200/unit
- Rotating sprinkler nozzles: Up to $6/nozzle
- Rain barrel: Up to $50/unit (max 2)
- Cistern: Up to $500 (max 1)
- Water-efficient faucet aerators and showerheads: FREE
Commercial
- Premium high-efficiency tank toilet or flushometer valve/bowl combo toilet: $300
- Zero and ultra low water urinal: $500
- Turf replacement: $3/square foot
- Weather-based irrigation controller or central computer irrigation controller: $50/station
- Rotating sprinkler nozzles (30 minimum): $6/nozzle
- Large rotary sprinkler nozzle retrofit: $13/HEAD
- Cooling tower conductivity controller: $625
- Cooling tower pH/conductivity controller: $3,000
Metropolitan Water District announced in late April its response to the regional drought, imposing unprecedented restrictions limiting outdoor watering to one day per week for roughly 6 million people starting June 1.
Although the MWD's definition of State Water Project-dependent areas is still in flux, a map provided by the agency indicates the watering restrictions will affect parts of the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys, and western reaches of the county including Woodland Hills, Canoga Park and Calabasas.
MWD offers a rebate of $2 per square foot for people who replace their grass with water-efficient landscaping. Rebates are also available from other local water agencies.
For more information, visit ladwp.com/wateringdays.