MAYOR GARCETTI ANNOUNCES THAT L.A. RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO MEET WATER CONSERVATION GOALS

Drought-conscious Angelenos respond to Mayor Garcetti’s ‘‘Save the Drop” campaign by reaching a 17.4 percent reduction in water usage in August.

Water use for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was 113 gallons per capita per day (GPCD), compared to 131 GPCD for the previous fiscal year—a reduction of more than 13 percent. LADWP’s 12-month rolling GPCD for the end of August was 110 GPCD, putting L.A. residents ahead of Mayor Garcetti’s next benchmark goal of 111 GPCD by January 1, 2016.

“In the face of this historic drought, Los Angeles is leading the way with an extraordinary commitment to water conservation,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Our ‘Save the Drop’ campaign is raising consciousness in every part of our city, and Angelenos continue to amaze me with their incredible response to this critical issue. L.A. is using only what it needs, achieving more with less, and making lasting changes that position us for a water-smart future.”

Los Angeles previously surpassed Mayor Garcetti’s first benchmark goal of 10 percent water reduction by July 1, 2015, and is on pace to meet the second benchmark goal — 15 percent water reduction by January 1, 2016 — set forth in Executive Directive No. 5.

The August water savings represent a 17.4 percent reduction compared to the same month in 2013 — and a cumulative reduction of 18.1 percent for the period of June-August 2015, compared to the same period in 2013. Under California’s mandated conservation targets, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) must reduce water consumption by 16 percent each month from June 2015 through February 2016, compared to water use during those same months in 2013.

LADWP attributes these achievements to a combination of incentives and mandatory watering restrictions.

From 2009 through the end of fiscal year 2014-15, LADWP residential and commercial customers have removed a total of 23.5 million square feet of turf, saving about 850 million gallons of water per year through the “Cash in Your Lawn” turf replacement rebate program.

Customers are also largely adhering to the mandatory three-days-per-week, 8 minutes per station watering restrictions required by the Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance. LADWP received 2,433 reports of water waste in August, but only 11 violations that escalated to monetary fines.

The Mayor has called on Angelenos to voluntarily reduce watering to two days per week, 8 minutes per station. Meanwhile, the City Council and Board of Water and Power Commissioners have taken steps that would enable the City to impose Phase 3 of the Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance, should a monthly target be missed. Phase 3 would reduce outdoor watering to two days a week, and include additional water restrictions.

“I’m proud of Angelenos for exploring options to conserve water and reduce its use,” said L.A. City Councilmember Felipe Fuentes, Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Energy and the Environment. “It is now a way of life, in this City, to pitch in and be a part of the solution. We’ve made great progress, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do. Let’s continue to educate one another on our water supply. By working together on a smarter water plan, Los Angeles can remain the leader in developing long-term solutions to the drought.”

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Marcie Edwards praised L.A. residents and businesses for their efforts to meet the State’s mandatory conservation targets.

“LADWP is proud of these accomplishments and grateful for the lifestyle changes made by so many residents who are willing to do their part,” Edwards said. “The Department will continue to support these efforts with a wide variety of rebate and incentive programs to help reduce customers’ costs and save water so that we can all achieve more together.”

Added Marty Adams, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager–Water System: “L.A. residents have done a tremendous job of being conscious of their water usage, and really valuing this precious resource. It’s the small simple things—like taking shorter showers, not letting the water run, changing your landscaping, reducing outdoor water irrigation and fixing leaks—that add up to big savings.”

CONTACT: Communications Office, 213-978-0741

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