Los Angeles

Lawn Watering Restrictions on the Table

The city met its water reduction goals for June, but only by a "very narrow margin," according to a DWP report.

A city panel called Tuesday for outdoor watering to be restricted to two days per week if Los Angeles fails to meet monthly goals for slashing water use amid the statewide drought.

The city currently limits outdoor watering to three days per week as required under "phase II" of the city's emergency water conservation ordinance.

LA would be able to switch to phase III -- which includes the two-day-per-week schedule along with other measures -- more quickly if the city falls behind on monthly water use goals, under the plan advanced Tuesday by the Department of Water and Power Commissioners.

Failing to meet the Mayor Eric Garcetti's monthly water goals or the state's 16 percent reduction target would trigger ramped-up water reduction efforts soon after the city falls short of its water reduction targets, DWP officials said.

The city met its water reduction goals for June, but only by a "very narrow margin," according to a DWP report.

If the city uses more water than is allowed by the state, LA could be hit with fees, but the current process for putting phase III restrictions in place could take as many as two to three weeks, DWP officials said Tuesday.

The City Council and Garcetti will be given a water use "report card" at the end of each month as a way to alert as to whether it is necessary to enter phase III, officials said.

The twice-a-week outdoor watering schedule in phase III would allow watering to take place Mondays and Fridays for odd-numbered addresses, and Sundays and Thursdays for even-numbered streets.

The resolution advanced today is subject to approval by the City Council and Garcetti.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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