CommentsWATER CRISIS - Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced today that customers have continued to heed the call to conserve water during this historic drought.
LADWP customers achieved an 11% reduction in July, that’s a record for any July on record for Los Angeles. July’s conservation surpasses the 9% reduction for the previous month, which also marked the lowest water use for any June on record in Los Angeles. LADWP implemented two-days-a-week watering restrictions on June 1, as part of the city’s phase 3 outdoor watering restrictions.
“I want to thank each and every one of our customers, from renters to homeowners to small and large businesses alike. It’s because of their continued efforts that we are seeing these record numbers in water conservation,” said Martin Adams, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer. “It’s clear that our customers have made conservation a way of life and are doing things like taking shorter showers, watering only on designated days of the week, and taking advantage of our water conservation rebates to save water and save money. But our job is not done. We are now entering one of the hottest months of the summer season and ask that our customers continue to save every drop.”
On June 1st, LADWP implemented Phase 3 of the city’s Water Conservation Plan Ordinance for both residential and commercial customers. Phase 3 reduced outdoor watering from three days a week to two days a week, for eight minutes per station per watering day. Customers with street addresses ending in odd-numbers may water on Mondays and Fridays and customers with even-numbered street addresses may water on Thursdays and Sundays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The new restrictions also included two recommended practices: the use of pool covers to prevent evaporation, and the washing of vehicles at commercial car wash facilities. Hand watering is allowed every day before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. if the hose is equipped with a self-closing water shut-off device.
LADWP’s Water Conservation Response Unit (Water CRU) continues to patrol daily throughout the LADWP service area for potential water waste and to further educate customers on prohibitive water uses. The Water CRU has seen an increase to over 2,000 water waste reports in July compared to the approximately 1,860 in the month of June. Individuals can report water waste via various channels: online at ladwp.com/waterwaste, by calling LADWP 1-800-DIAL-DWP or calling the city’s 311 hotline, or through the 311 smart phone app.
“The increase in water waste complaints we have received shows people are conscientious when it comes to water waste that they see in their communities and we are grateful to them for being our eyes and ears because we can’t do it alone,” said Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System for LADWP. “While our customers continue doing their part, LADWP will continue to invest in innovative solutions to provide reliable, resilient water supplies now and in the future.”
To find out how they can make their homes and businesses as water-efficient as possible, residential and commercial customers can find a comprehensive list of rebates and programs at www.ladwp.com/save and www.ladwp.com/cwr, respectively. Some of LADWP’s water conservation rebates and programs include:
- Free showerheads and faucet aerators
- $3 per square foot rebate for turf replacement for up to 5,000 square feet per project for residential and commercial customers
- $500 for high-efficiency clothes washers
- $250 for high-efficiency residential toilets; $300 for high-efficiency commercial toilets
- $500 for zero and ultra-low water urinals
- Varying rebates for rotating sprinkler nozzles, weather-based irrigation controllers and soil moisture sensor systems
- Free, hands-on DIY landscaping workshops
- And up to $2 million through the Technical Assistance Program for commercial customers
In addition to the variety of rebates and incentives, LADWP, in partnership with LA Sanitation and Environment, has reopened two local recycled water filling stations for customers to pick up free recycled, non-potable water for their landscaping needs. The use of recycled water helps offset the demand for drinking water. The two refill stations are located at the Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant and the LA Zoo parking lot. To be eligible for the program, Angelenos must be an active LADWP customer, complete and sign an application form, and complete a brief training class available onsite.
For more information about the Phase 3 water restrictions, view LADWP’s frequently asked questions.
