We are Still in a Drought – Conservation Still Required

– Courtesy photo

By Susan Motander

It should be obvious to everyone, that despite a few sprinkles here and there, and Governor Jerry Brown’s declaration last year, the Southland is still in the midst of a drought. We have not had even an average rainfall in years and the way below average rainfall in other years has left the Main San Gabriel Water Basin at unacceptable low levels.

In Monrovia, residents have started to receive higher water bills. This increase was required by the increase in the cost of water to the city. In order to pass along this increased cost, the city went through the steps required by Proposition 218 to raise the water rates. This increase went into effect recently and the higher cost will appear on the water bills going out in this cycle (some residents may have already received bill reflecting this increase).

Also remember the city is still in Phase IV of its Water Conservation Regulations. These require 28% conservation. There are several other specific mandates including limiting outdoor watering to about once a week (no more than every 4^th day at most), no more than 15 minutes watering per area (this does not apply if using drip irrigation or reclaimed water), and watering only before 8 am and after 6 pm.

The requirements go on:

– No person or customer shall cause or allow water to run off landscaped areas onto adjoining streets, sidewalks, or other paved areas due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or as the result of excessive watering.

– No person or customer shall irrigate any landscaping within 48 hours of measurable rainfall or during high winds.

– No person shall use a hose to wash any sidewalk, walkway, driveway, parking area or other paved surface, except as required for sanitary purposes, and only with a water broom or similar device or hose equipped with a nozzle or quick relief shutoff valve.

– Washing of motor vehicles, trailers, boats, or other vehicles shall be done only with a hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

– No water shall be used to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains unless the water is part of a recycling (recirculating) system.

– No restaurant, hotel, café, cafeteria or other place where food is sold, served, or offered for sale shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested by that customer.

– All customers shall promptly repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures within 48 hours of discovery.

But there is hope: the city has also prepared a few suggestions as to how to conserve water and save on those water bills.

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