Apologies Flow for Publicity Over Couple’s Penchant for Water

After La Verne officials revealed earlier this week that a local couple regularly used a whopping 7,416 gallons of water on the average each day, the city’s mayor apologized--to the couple.

Mayor Jon H. Blickenstaff said city officials should not have given out so much information about the pair, identified by Public Works Director Brian Bowcock as the city’s biggest residential users.

Blickenstaff did not dispute that the couple’s daily water use was enough for 16 average Los Angeles households. But he said he felt an apology was appropriate because of the media attention focused on the couple after The Times on Wednesday published a story about them.

The city, which places the motto “a brown lawn shows the spirit of sacrifice” on its water bills, has not released the name and address of the couple.

“It was unfortunate the issue has escalated to cause them so much inconvenience,” he said Thursday.

In addition, the couple became the topic of critical discussion on Los Angeles-area radio talk shows and television news detailing the couple’s recent water usage, which topped 445,000 gallons in a recent two-month billing cycle.

City officials described the couple as living in a single-family residence on 1 1/2 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriels and that the husband is a doctor.

The couple told Blickenstaff they used large amounts of water to protect their hillside house from potential fire danger. “They certainly had reason to be concerned and protect their home as best they could,” the mayor said.

On Wednesday, City Manager Martin Lomeli “extended the offer” to help the couple learn water conservation, Blickenstaff said, and “they were very willing to cooperate.”

Councilman Patrick Gatti, who had complained that the couple watered “the holy bejabbers out of the place,” said he nevertheless understands why some of his fellow city officials apologized: “The city is always concerned about getting sued.” Still, he said, “philosophically, I do have a problem with someone using that amount of water, no matter if he has the ability to pay for it.”