LADWP Urges Customers to “Dial Back” Sprinkler Timers with Time Change

LOS ANGELES— LADWP continues to drive home the message of water conservation by calling on city residents to dial back their sprinkler systems by at least one hour as they update their clocks this Sunday, November 3^rd. As California “falls back” and Daylight Saving Time ends, LADWP reminds its customers to also adjust their irrigation settings and re-evaluate their lawn’s water needs during the usually cooler and wetter season. In addition, LADWP is asking customers to shut off their irrigation system during rain events to reduce water waste and runoff.

James McDaniel, Senior Assistant General Manager of the LADWP Water System, says, “Due to low rainfall and snow packs in recent years, Los Angeles is meeting approximately 70 percent of its total water demand this year with more expensive, imported water supplies from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. We need to be more efficient with our water use, and adjusting our sprinklers and checking for leaks during the time change are easy water conservation measures.”

In Los Angeles, approximately 40 to 60 percent of drinking water is used for outdoor irrigation. To help reduce outdoor water use, the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance currently limits outdoor watering to three days a week, depending on street address. While adjusting sprinkler systems, customers should remember that addresses that end in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are allowed to use their sprinkler systems on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays; customers with addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 may do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Sprinkler system use is also limited to one cycle of up to 8 minutes per station per watering day. However, during the winter months customers may have to irrigate even less frequently and in shorter periods to continue maintaining a healthy lawn.

For more information about water conservation in Los Angeles, visit www.ladwp.com/CF.

LADWP also encourages customers to reset their lighting timers to turn on only after daylight hours and to remain lit only as long as necessary. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and long-life LED lights are recommended for installation wherever possible. CFL and LED lights may cost a little more at the outset, but they use less electricity, last longer and save customers money in the long run.

The time change presents a valuable opportunity for LADWP customers to review energy and water routines at home and in the workplace to seek out ways to conserve. Effective conservation can help customers better manage utility costs and save money. For tips on easy ways to conserve, and information on the Department’s many energy and water efficiency programs and rebate opportunities, please visit www.ladwp.com.

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