Water conservation measures, enforcement step up in Burbank

Water-wasters watch out — Burbank Water and Power will begin enforcing the city’s water-conservation ordinance by imposing $100 fines for violations such as watering lawns on days when it’s not allowed or failing to fix leaky irrigation systems.

In a public hearing expected to take place May 14, the City Council will also consider enacting additional water-conservation measures that would ban misters, limit hand-watering of landscapes during the day, restrict outdoor sprinkler use from three days a week to two days — only once during winter months — and require covers on swimming pools and wading pools.

Elected officials will also consider adding “teeth” to requirements that commercial, industrial and institutional water customers use recycled water, instead of drinking water, in their irrigation systems and water-cooling towers, when feasible. That could mean $1,000 fines up to $5,000, according to a presentation utility officials made earlier this month.

By converting irrigation and cooling towers to use recycled water — treated wastewater that can be used for everything but human consumption — the utility’s largest customers could help conserve nearly 270 million gallons of drinking water a year, said Jeanette Meyer, marketing manager for the utility.

The stepped-up conservation measures are necessary, officials say, as water agencies move to implement Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent executive order calling for water-use reductions, among other drought-related measures.

The move will require Burbank to cut water use by 28%, compared to its September 2014 usage of 130 gallons per person per day.

Under Brown’s earlier call for voluntary cutbacks, the city achieved only 7% in cuts. Agencies that fail to meet the now-required cutbacks could face fines of up to $10,000 a day.

That means Burbank residents will have to make greater efforts to conserve water, going beyond taking shorter showers and turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth, though those little changes add up, Meyer said.

The reductions will take effect June 1 and will remain in place until Feb. 26, but they could be extended and officials “could call for deeper cuts” depending on whether the ongoing drought is prolonged, said Bill Mace, assistant general manager at Burbank Water and Power.

Fines for water wasters are allowed under the water-conservation ordinance, but none have been issued, so far, despite more than 1,000 warning letters having been sent out. Until recently, the utility has preferred to use outreach, education and “moral assuasion” to change behavior, instead of fines, officials told the City Council last week.

Given the dire situation, utility officials want to ratchet up the pressure. Violators will get two warnings before fines are issued. After the first fine is issued, fines will increase to $200 for a second offense and up to $500 for repeat offenders.

There are several other programs the utility offers to help residents reduce their water use, Meyer said, from rebates for turf removal to free hardware such as low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. The utility’s Green Home House Call includes a consultation for help with improvements such as adjusting sprinkler controls and helping eliminate overspray.

“We are here to help our community,” Meyer said. “We’re asking a lot, and we need a lot of [participation].”