The announcement marks the third straight month of record-low water use for Angelenos
*This news release was originally published and distributed by the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
LOS ANGELES (September 13, 2022)— Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced that Angelenos have achieved the all-time lowest water use for August on record in the City of Los Angeles – the third consecutive month that Angelenos have cut water use to all-time lows – and urged customers to continue to conserve in the face of prolonged shortages.
The demand for water in the month of August was 10% lower than the previous two years, despite this past August being hotter by an average of 3-5 degrees. LADWP’s rolling GPCD (gallons per capita per day) has now fallen to roughly 111 from 113 last year. LADWP customers have heeded calls to conserve throughout the summer – reducing their water use by 9% in June and 11% in July, both record-lows. Outdoor watering from three days a week to two went into effect on June 1, 2022.
“Coming into this summer, we acknowledged an urgent need to reduce water use, and for the third straight month, Angelenos have done more than heed our call – they’ve embraced it, and made conservation a way of life,” said Mayor Garcetti. “In the face of monthly heat records, Angelenos have gone above and beyond to find additional ways to cut back – and as we continue to battle skyrocketing temperatures and cope with drying reservoirs, I know that Los Angeles will continue to show our region and the rest of the world what meaningful conservation looks like.”
All watering continues to be limited to Mondays and Fridays for LADWP customers with street addresses ending in odd numbers, and Thursdays and Sundays for all customers with addresses ending in even numbers. These restrictions also stipulate that customers watering with sprinklers are limited to eight minutes per use; watering with sprinklers using water conserving nozzles are limited to 15 minutes; and watering between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM is prohibited, regardless of the watering day. Hand watering of trees is still allowed and encouraged.
LADWP’s Water Conservation Response Unit saw an increase to over 2,346 water waste reports in August. Individuals can report water waste via various channels: online at ladwp.com/waterwaste, by calling LADWP 1-800-DIAL-DWP or calling the city’s 311 hotline, or through the 311 smartphone app.
In addition to a variety of rebates and incentives, LADWP, in partnership with LA Sanitation and Environment, has reopened two local recycled water filling stations for customers to pick up free recycled, non-potable water for their landscaping needs. The two refill stations are located at the Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant and the LA Zoo parking lot. To be eligible for the program, Angelenos must be an active LADWP customer, complete and sign an application form, and complete a brief training class available onsite. Customers have also responded with a 10-fold increase in applications for LADWP’s Turf Replacement Rebate Program, which offers $3 per square foot to replace a lawn with drought tolerant landscaping.
“We are extremely pleased, but not at all surprised, that Angelenos continued to meet the drought challenge and reduce their water use during the hot summer months, when water use is typically the highest,” said Martin Adams, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer. “In addition to the commendable efforts of our commercial and residential customers to reduce their water use, LADWP will continue to provide more innovative programs and solutions to make continued conservation both achievable and sustainable.”
Since Mayor Garcetti took office in 2013, LADWP customers have saved over 256.8 billion gallons of water – enough water to fill the LA Coliseum over 913 times, and nearly double the amount of water LADWP uses in an entire year. LADWP has invested hundreds of millions in its rebate programs, and in addition to the increases of the washers and toilets rebate last year, is continuing to look for ways to expand its current programs. For the past decade, LADWP’s turf replacement rebate program has helped Angelenos replace over 51.9 million square feet of turf, which equates to enough water savings to supply 28,087 homes per year.
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