Los Angeles is Saving Water - Good For Us!
by JEFF FOSTER, Contributing Writer, Stand-up Comedian and Editor of TheLean.org
The City of Los Angeles reported its lowest water consumption rates in 32 years last month. City officials credit the Department of Water and Power’s energy efficiency programs, which apply certain water use restrictions to residents, including one that prohibits residents from watering their lawns on any day but Monday and Thursday.
To enforce compliance with the restrictions, the city employs 15 “water cops” who drive around town, gaze at private property, and issue citations to dissenting residents. After a first warning, violators may be issued a fine ranging from $50 to over $1,000.
The city also relies on tips from anonymous snitches reporting water-wasting neighbors on a special hotline.
Despite the city’s reliance on punishment to compel dwellers to stop wasting water, Mayor Antonio Villagairosa gave Angelenos credit for the encouraging statistics. In a Wednesday morning press conference, he told reporters that Angelenos “exceeded” the water conservation challenge.
In order to satisfy a statewide mandate on water use reduction, Los Angeles must trim consumption by 20% by 2020. In July 2009, the city used 17% less water than it did in July 2008.
Other cities are reporting results from similar programs. The city of San Diego saw a 13.9% decrease in water depletion between July 2008 and July 2009 after implementing similar policies in June.
For more information on Los Angeles’ mandatory and voluntary conservation programs, residents can visit the DWP. For those interested in getting involved in water conservation efforts, the Water — Use It Wisely! Campaign has a great directory of conservation resources.
For the ultra-dedicated, try one of these.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Environment
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