Mulholland’s Gift: Wasted Water?

With regard to the debate over Mulholland and the rights and wrongs of the draining of Mono Lake, etc., I’d like to narrow the focus (“Three Inside Views of ‘Mulholland’s Dream,’ ” Counterpunch, June 30).

Every time I go walking about my neighborhood, I am aware of the vast daily waste of water. People use water to spray away leaves and dust. What are these people thinking about as the water drains away?

I believe a device called a “brush” cleans nearly as well. I see gutters watered by sprinklers that are supposed to irrigate pointless grass verges. Everywhere there is run-off of water from a garden there is waste. Why do people not know to water at a slower rate? People seem not get the fact that water on the pavement is not getting to the plants.

Is it really that stupid to wonder whether eliminating water waste might be cheaper than wrecking more rivers and sucking out more ground water?

Electricity utilities have found that it’s cheaper to pay for home insulation and energy conservation than to build new power plants.

RICHARD HERRIOTT

West Hollywood