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PASADENANS REQUIRED TO STOP OUTDOOR WATERING MARCH 17 TO 28
Arcadia Weekly Mar 12, 2011
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Last night the Pasadena City Council declared a Level 4 Water Shortage Emergency during the temporary shutdown of a major regional water pipeline from March 17 through March 28.
The city will enforce a total ban on outdoor watering with very few exceptions until pipeline deliveries resume.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which supplies about 60 percent of Pasadena’s water, is planning a seismic retrofit of the F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant in LaVerne and will stop all water deliveries to Pasadena and neighboring cities through its upper feeder pipeline during the project. For those 10 days, Pasadena must rely solely on its groundwater and reserves.
“Even though this short-term supply cut is severe, we are confident Pasadenans will come together on this issue and follow the plan so we all will have enough water for drinking and everyday indoor uses,” said Eric Klinkner, chief deputy general manager of Pasadena Water and Power. “Since 2009 our water customers in Pasadena and Altadena have demonstrated their dedication to water conservation during the ongoing Level 1 water shortage , so I know they will rally again during the Level 4 plan.”
Just before the pipeline shutdown, PWP will fill the city’s 14 reservoirs with about 80 million gallons of local groundwater and water imported from MWD. As these reserves fall during the 10-day shutdown, PWP will replenish reservoirs with up to seven million gallons of groundwater per day pumped from wells throughout Pasadena. All told, Pasadena can count on 150 million gallons during the shutdown, whereas about 250 million gallons would be consumed under normal circumstances.
“We have no other feasible suppliers to turn to and fill that 40 percent gap,” said Brad Boman, water engineering manager at PWP. “The only solution is to curb demand and be self-sustaining, which means a temporary ban on outdoor watering, which is the largest use of water citywide.”
The city will lift current Level 1 Water Shortage restrictions from March 11 to 17 – the week before the shutdown – to allow customers to water any day of the week, as much as they think is necessary, to prepare their landscaping for the watering ban. PWP customers will have another week without restrictions after the shutdown ends before Level 1 Water Shortage restrictions resume.
“Our horticultural consultants advise that most established plants and lawns can hold up well without water for 10 days and even longer,” said Nancy Long, water conservation manager for PWP. “We are also telling our customers to consider rescheduling any new landscaping plans, since plants that aren’t yet established are much more vulnerable.”
“We’ve already reached out to our large customers and mailed a citywide notice to help everyone get ready well in advance,” added Klinkner. “The feedback we’re getting shows people are looking at this short-term challenge as a perfect opportunity to prepare for potentially greater emergencies.”
More information on the watering restrictions, tips on how to prepare and daily updates during the shutdown can be found at www.cityofpasadena.net/shutdown. Water waste can be reported on the website and through the Water Shortage Hotline at (626) 744-8888
