Southern California Drought Forces More Conservation

Your excellent editorial concerning the water shortage stated, “If Only All of Us Would . . . “ The two key words were “if all.” Unfortunately, voluntarily reducing water use is not enough, because many people either are uninformed about Southern California’s water crisis, or they are indifferent.

Driveways and sidewalks are still being hosed down (usually by gardeners), even though this is illegal. New lawns are being planted. Sprinklers at parks, along roadways, freeways and at commercial buildings are usually on timers, and some turn on every night. Big corporations still water acres of lawns every night, with the excess water draining into the gutters.

We need city/county rationing that is strictly enforced, and we need it immediately, not at the end of the summer. Are we going to wait until the water is nearly gone, like Santa Barbara did, and then be forced to take drastic action? Where is a leader, when we so desperately need one?

GARY R. MASTERS

Los Angeles