Special Bills Planned if Water Rationing Is OKd

The city’s water customers would get a special new bill with friendly messages to water conservers and warnings to overusers if mandatory rationing is approved, Los Angeles water officials said Monday. The bills, to be sent to the Department of Water and Power’s 650,000 customers beginning in March, are intended to help people keep up with a 15% water cutback program proposed to cope with a fifth year of drought.

The rationing plan still must be approved by the City Council, which is to discuss the matter next Tuesday. Under the proposal, residential customers must reduce water use by 10%, compared to 1986 levels, starting March 1 and by 15% beginning May 1. Industrial customers would have to reduce use by 10%.

The year 1986 would serve as a base line for water use because the city has adopted voluntary rationing programs since, officials said. Those who fail to meet these new levels face fines, reductions in water allotments or service cutoffs.