DWP May Seek to Ease Water Rationing

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may seek a reduction in the city’s mandatory water rationing plan if rainfall reaches normal levels during March, officials said Friday.

DWP executive Jim Wickser said that the city’s water supply in the eastern Sierra Nevada is only 30% below normal after a series of February storms. A year ago, the Sierra snowpack levels were about 70% below normal.

“If March (rainfall) proves normal . . . that will give us the opportunity to reduce mandatory conservation,” Wickser reported to the City Council.

The City Council adopted a mandatory rationing plan last year when the state entered its fifth year of drought. The plan required residents to cut back on their water use by 15%. The public responded favorably, conserving an average of about 30% each month.

Wickser said that in the spring his staff may recommend that the DWP Board of Commissioners reduce the mandatory rationing level to 10%. If the board approves, the matter will move to the City Council for final approval.