Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
November 14, 2007
1. Top Item
Heed the water cops now, or pay fine later
LA Daily News – 11/14/07
By Kerry Cavanaugh, staff writer
Investigating tips and ferreting out water wasters, a team of Drought Busters will hit streets across
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resurrected the successful Drought Buster concept from the early 1990s - the last time
This time, however, the 15 Drought Busters are dispensing warnings and water-conservation advice instead of tickets.
And the crew will begin work following up on 167 reports of water waste the DWP has received since June.
"If you get caught wasting water, you can expect a friendly reminder and other helpful information from our team," said the DWP acting general manager, Robert Rozanski, who stressed the Drought Busters' message of "positive reinforcement."
The DWP has assigned 15 current employees to the program, which costs roughly $450,000 a year. On most days, six Drought Busters will be cruising the streets in Toyota Hybrid Prius vehicles bearing the Drought Buster logo.
Meanwhile, several court decisions have dramatically cut the amount of water
Voluntary for now
So far, the DWP has called for voluntary conservation. But if this winter is as dry as last winter, the DWP will enact mandatory water cuts, and the Drought Busters will become conservation cops capable of fining wasters.
"We're bringing it back to remind residents to stop wasting water and to make conservation part of our daily routine," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Villaraigosa said he had "smart" sprinklers installed at the official mayoral residence, Getty House, this summer to cut outdoor water use by 40 percent.
"Don't think this mayor and this council won't be prepared to use citations and require mandatory conservation efforts, if necessary."
So far, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other city leaders have publicly urged residents to voluntarily cut water consumption by 10percent.
Under city law, the following water uses are prohibited during a water emergency:
No Hosing down sidewalks and driveways.
No Filling decorative fountains or ponds, unless the water is recirculated.
No Lawn-watering from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during in April through September or 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during October through March.
No Serving water to restaurant customers, unless requested.
No Refusing to fix a water leak.
No Excessive irrigation that causes water to overflow onto the sidewalk and street.
1990s success
The original Drought Busters program was launched in the early 1990s, with more than a dozen full-time employees conducting educational outreach during a dry spell.
But as the drought continued, the Busters became more aggressive, with the authority to levy $150 fines against water wasters. The program was considered a success, and the city's water use was cut by 34 percent.
A 23-year employee of the DWP, David Jones said he volunteered for the conservation-cop post.
"Our goal is to get everyone involved with saving water," Jones said.
"With the state that we're in with water, if I can be effective in informing residents on how to reduce their use, that's what I want to do." #
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_7455319
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