NEWS RELEASE
February 5, 2009

LOS ANGELES — With forecasters predicting back-to-back storms today and tomorrow, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) urges customers to turn off their sprinklers and let Mother Nature water yards as rain and snow levels are nearly half what they should be at mid-season. Water officials want to remind Angelenos that California is in a drought, state reservoirs are at historic lows and each person's effort to cut their use is critical.

"Our water supplies have been cut and our snow pack in the Eastern Sierra is precariously low," said David Nahai, CEO and general manager of the LADWP. "We are now in a situation where all of Los Angeles must be in a water conservation mode 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round, rain or shine. Let the storm water soak your yards while saving our precious fresh water for drinking, showering and other necessities of life."

Los Angeles is currently in Phase One of the Water Conservation Ordinance strengthened last August that prohibits certain wasteful practices such as watering during periods of rain, watering between the hours of 9 a.m to 4 p.m., washing down sidewalks and driveways and allowing excess water to flood gutters and storm drains. Since September when the LADWP expanded its Water Conservation Team from six to 15 fulltime inspectors, the department has issued more than 1,400 citations. The vast majority of violators who receive a warning comply immediately. The second and subsequent violations can result in fines ranging from $100 to $600.

 

To report suspected water waste, please call 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397) or e-mail the department's water conservation investigators directly at waterconservationteam@ladwp.com.

Customers are also encouraged to take advantage of the numerous rebates for water saving devices such as weather based irrigation controls, rotating sprinkler nozzles and synthetic turf. Information is available at www.bewaterwise.com.

 

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