Mayor Garcetti Proposes LADWP Water Restrictions

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Tuesday, May 10, that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would move to the third phase of its emergency water conservation plan, requiring Angelenos to reduce the number of outdoor watering days from three to two.

The change—which still requires approval from City Council—would go into effect on June 1, and apply to all commercial and residential customers in LADWP’s coverage area.

Individuals with street addresses ending in odd numbers would be asked to limit watering to Mondays and Fridays, and individuals with addresses ending in even numbers would be limited to watering on Thursdays and Sundays.

Additional watering restrictions ask that Angelenos limit their sprinkler usage to one cycle of up to eight minutes per watering day—or 15 minutes for sprinklers with water-conserving nozzles—and watering is not allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., nor when it rains or 48 hours after it has rained.

Per-person usage will also be adjusted for LADWP customers, asking that Angelenos reduce their use by seven gallons per day.

According to Palisadians Sheda Morshed and Ryan Craig, outdoor water usage is estimated to account for approximately 50% of annual residential water consumption statewide, and is higher in affluent communities like Pacific Palisades.

A 2014 UCLA residential water consumption study reported that the Palisades had the highest average of single-family residential water use when compared to 12 other LA neighborhoods. The 24-page report used 10 years of data from LADWP and was completed by UCLA’s California Center for Sustainable Communities.

“Today, we are asking all of our customers to lean in harder this summer to save more water,” President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners Cynthia McClain-Hill said in a statement. “A little less water use by everyone adds up to a lot more water available to get us through the summer and into next winter.”

Those who do not comply with the updated restrictions will receive a warning, followed by escalating fines of up to $600.

Phase 3 comes shortly after the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California announced a water shortage emergency and ordered outdoor usage restrictions for millions of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino county residents on April 27.

“To make sure we have enough water for … basic human health and safety needs, everyone in these communities must immediately and dramatically reduce their water use,” Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil said in a statement.

Hagekhalil warned that if enough water isn’t conserved or if supply conditions worsen in the coming months, all outdoor watering could be banned in these communities as early as September.

As the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday evening, it was unclear when City Council would be discussing the approval of LADWP’s Phase 3.