Bell Gardens : Water-Saving Plan Enacted

At the urging of the Metropolitan Water District, the Bell Gardens City Council has approved a “voluntary drought conservation program” aimed at reducing water usage in the city by 10%.

Under the resolution, passed Monday night, city officials have agreed to cut down watering landscape greenery and to avoid watering on windy days. The resolution also calls for city officials to inspect all city-owned plumbing and repair leaks.

Residents are urged to adjust their lawn sprinklers, avoid watering driveways and shut off decorative fountains to cut down on water usage.

The resolution was drawn up after City Manager Claude L. Booker received a letter from Carl Boronkay, general manager of the water district, suggesting the voluntary methods to conserve water. “By working together, we can provide an orderly and effective response to the drought,” said Boronkay in the June 9 letter.

The California drought is in its second year, with stream flows at 50% of normal levels statewide, according to the water district letter, sent to all cities in its jurisdiction. “Should the drought enter a third year, our region may face shortages on the order of 500,000 acre feet, or enough water to serve 2.5 million people,” the letter said.