Council OKs Water Savings Ordinance

The Glendale City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a water conservation ordinance that would reduce water consumption during a drought and change water rates to reward low-volume users and penalize high-volume users.

Under the ordinance, the monthly bill for the typical residential customer’s 2,000 cubic feet of water would go up to $45.80, an increase of 72 cents.

But customers who, for example, use 1,000 cubic feet would see their bills reduced by $2.10 to $24.50, Public Service Director W.E. Cameron said.

In times of drought, the council would be empowered to activate a five-step plan that would call for customers to reduce their water use by up to 25%. Any excess use would be penalized by a surcharge of twice the basic water rate.

The council excluded treated water from the ordinance after Forest Lawn Memorial Park officials requested an exemption last week. Glendale is building a pipeline from its sewage treatment plant to the cemetery, which will purchase treated water.