L.A. Water Rationing Begins Today

On the eve of the toughest water rationing measures in the city’s history, Mayor Tom Bradley expressed confidence Thursday that Los Angeles residents will unite and defeat what he called “the Great Drought of 1991.”

“Truly, this drought is a natural disaster, an environmental crisis and an economic calamity,” Bradley said in a City Hall address broadcast over several local television and radio stations. “But the people of Los Angeles have prevailed over disasters before--from earthquakes to droughts to energy shortages.”

Beginning today, the city’s 3.5 million residents are required to cut water use by 10% from 1986 levels, and on May 1, by an additional 5%. Those who fail to comply face stiff penalties.

The City Council imposed the rationing measure by an 11-1 vote last week after nearly a year of debate. The council action came after the Metropolitan Water District ordered its member agencies to cut water use by 31%. The need for rationing became critical after snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada were found to be alarmingly low.

In addition to restrictions on residents, the burden of water rationing will also fall on businesses and government agencies. “I am determined that everyone be treated equally and fairly,” Bradley said. “We must all pull together to do our share.”

Bradley warned that those who try to skirt the law will face punishment. “Those who do not reduce their water use will face severe financial penalties,” he said.

The only other time water rationing was imposed in the city was in 1977, when the water runoff from the mountains was 42% of normal. But it was rescinded after seven months with the coming of heavy rains. This year, the fifth consecutive dry year, runoff is expected to be 28% to 45% of normal.

On Monday, the city Department of Water and Power staff recommended 25% cutbacks on May 1 instead of the 15% cutbacks recently approved by the City Council. The DWP Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the new proposal on March 11, after which it would go to the council and Bradley.

Asked before his speech whether he favors a 25% mandatory cutback, Bradley said, “I’m going to wait until we have a proposal” from the DWP before deciding.

Bradley said later that he believes residents could easily trim their water use by 25% by making changes in their lifestyles.

“Twenty-five percent may sound like a lot of water to save,” Bradley said. “But nearly half of you voluntarily saved that much last year.”

“Water use could be cut through the use of water-saving devices in toilets, low-flow shower heads and the use of less water on lawns,” the Mayor said. He also urged residents to run only full loads when washing dishes and laundry.

In the future, he said, other promising ideas will be explored, such as desalination and water reclamation plants and tougher laws requiring developers to compensate elsewhere for water used in new buildings.

“This drought crisis will tap the ingenuity and community spirit of all of us,” he said. “By working together and doing our fair share, we can maintain our quality of life and protect the future of our city.”

Times staff writer Jane Fritsch contributed to this story.

RESIDENTIAL WATER USE Listed below are examples of water usage in a typical household. Shower: Up to 8 gallons per minute. Bathtub: 25 to 30 gallons. Dishwasher: 10 to 20 gallons per load. Washing machine: 20 to 50 gallons per load. Toilet: Up to 6 gallons per flush. Kitchen and bathroom faucets: Up to 5 gallons per minute. Garden hose ( 1/2 inch): More than 8 gallons per minute. Hot tub: 300 gallons to fill up. Compiled by Times researcher Michael Meyers Source: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power A New Twist on L.A. Water Bills: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has added a new category that will appear on future water bills during the time when Los Angeles’ mandatory water conservation plan is in effect. The category, “Allowed Water Use Next Period,” indicates to the consumer how much water can be used in the next billing period (bills are sent every two months) in order to meet the requirements of the conservation plan. Consumers exceeding that amount of water will potentially face penalties. This line of the bill indicates how much water the customer used per day during the prior billing period, presented in units of 100 cubic feet. The customer used 3,600 cubic feet of water daily, or 408 gallons. The new “Allowed Water Use” line on the bill contains two pieces of information. This sample bill indicates “32 HCF,” or 363 gallons, may be used each day to meet the standard. So, the consumer must cut his water use from 408 gallons daily to 363, a cutback of 45 gallons. (“HCF” means “hundred cubic feet,” so 32 HCF is 3,200 cubic feet.)