SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND THE DROUGHT : Rebates Offered for Conservation

As part of its water conservation program, the La Verne City Council authorized a program Monday that will give $100 rebates to residents who replace lawns with less thirsty ground covers, and $50 rebates to those who install low-flow toilets.

The rebates are part of a $25,000 “We’re Running Out” water conservation campaign that will be coordinated by the public relations agency Gardner Communications Group of Brea. According to a report by the city staff, the campaign will also include printed materials sent to residents, bumper stickers, speaking visits to elementary schools and discounts on water-saving merchandise.

* Arcadia officials have accused the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District of keeping incentive payments the Metropolitan Water District gives water companies for conserving beyond minimum allotments, rather than passing them on to its customers.

The City Council on Tuesday voted to ask MWD’s board of directors to reverse the local water district’s decision to keep the incentives of $99 per acre-foot saved. The city also accused the local water agency of holding back base allotments for ground-water replacement.

Arcadia is allowed to buy 4% of the local agency’s water, without penalty, for ground-water replacement, said city water manager Eldon G. Davidson. But in February, the city was told that water isn’t available, he said.

Royall Brown, Upper San Gabriel Water District director, acknowledged Wednesday that the agency has withheld the incentives. He said his district “is in dire need of funds and needed to absorb the rebates because we’re running at a deficit.”

* The Monrovia City Council on Tuesday delayed implementing a mandatory water rationing plan because of significant rainfall this month.

The council voted instead to ask residents to voluntarily cut water use by 10% and outlawed water-wasting practices such as hosing down sidewalks and washing cars with the water running.

Robert K. Sandwick, public works director, told the council that March storms have brought Monrovia’s rainfall levels up to average for the season and have partially replenished the ground-water reserves on which Monrovia relies heavily. He warned, however, that mandatory water rationing could be implemented soon.