| An average of 50 to 90 inches of water is applied to | | | | All of the above amounts are doubled during a water |
| L.A. lawns every year, but the average annual rainfall | | | | shortage. In Malibu, Topanga and Marina areas, the |
| is only 15 inches. Faced with yet another dry | | | | county is threatening to raise water rates if water |
| summer, the various municipalities are beginning to | | | | usage is not reduced by 15%. |
| impose water restrictions and rules on water usage. | | | | Although there are only three employees assigned to |
| Sacramento is the worst offender at 280 gallons per | | | | investigate reports, all city employees are |
| day; the highest per-person water usage in the U.S. | | | | encouraged to uphold the rules by reporting incidents |
| An estimated 65 percent of that water is used for | | | | of excess usage. |
| watering lawns. In an effort to set an example, this | | | | What is the city doing to market this program? For |
| year, instead of the usual seasonal restrictions, the | | | | now, they are spending $80,000 to communicate the |
| rules are permanent. | | | | new rules and educate the public on water |
| The changes include: | | | | conservation. The Los Angeles Department of Water |
| Lawn water banned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (during | | | | and Power is offering a rebate up to $2,000 for |
| the hottest times of the day when evaporation is at | | | | those who replace their grass with an |
| its peak). | | | | drought-friendly alternative, as outlined in the |
| When washing cars with a hose, it must be equipped | | | | Residential Drought Resistant Landscape Incentive |
| with a shut off nozzle. | | | | Program. |
| During standard time (November to March), watering | | | | "It's important we set an example, as a region and |
| is only permitted one day a week. Other times | | | | state capital, on conservation efforts," said Mike |
| watering is allowed on alternate days (actual day is | | | | Malone, field supervisor in the Utilities Department. |
| determined by your address), and no watering on | | | | "We don't know what the future is going to hold. So |
| Mondays. | | | | it's important we take steps to preserve this |
| Water waste is not permitted. Water cannot be | | | | precious resource." |
| allowed to run off the property into the gutters or | | | | "Our goal is for the city to be known as a water |
| streets during irrigation. | | | | conservation capital," said Marty Hanneman, assistant |
| Washing driveways, sidewalks or parking lots is | | | | city manager and utilities director. "We know we've |
| banned unless prior approval has been received. | | | | got a long way to go, but this is a big step forward." |
| Exceptions: | | | | How has the public reacted to these new |
| New sod or landscaping may be watered daily for 21 | | | | restrictions? |
| consecutive days from planting. | | | | Many view this as a money grab intended to balance |
| Penalties: | | | | the skyrocketing municipal and state budgets. For the |
| Ignoring these laws come with harsh penalties that | | | | numerous home owners who don't even water their |
| include: | | | | lawns, how will they be rewarded? Others say that |
| First violation: written notification. | | | | the wealthy home owners with massive lawns and |
| Second violation: $25 fine which will be waived upon | | | | multiple fountains, pools and hot tubs are the true |
| completion of a water conservation class. | | | | culprits, and none of these penalties are likely to have |
| Third violation: $100 fine. | | | | any effect on their watering habits. |
| Fourth and subsequent violations: $500 fine. | | | | |
