Inland area is asked to reduce water use
More than 1 million residents in western San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties are asked to limit water use starting Monday while crews repair a damaged pipeline.
The Rialto feeder pipeline, which delivers Northern California water to much of the area, will be closed Monday until April 24. Residents in Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Fontana, La Verne, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland are asked to stretch water supplies while repairs are made.
“It’s critical that residents conserve as much water as possible,” said Metropolitan Water District spokesman Bob Muir. “When residents don’t decrease their water use, you use up all the reserves, and areas can go short.”
A serious water shortage nearly occurred two weeks ago in Orange County after residents didn’t initially comply with pleas to cut water use while the Robert B. Diemer treatment plant in Yorba Linda was closed for upgrades. But increased public awareness, helped by stories in the news media and notices posted on Caltrans freeway signs, brought water use down and the problem was averted.
Residents affected by the repairs are asked to run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, take showers not exceeding 10 minutes and to shut off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
Richard Hansen, general manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, said conservation efforts were essential.
“We all need to do our part to reduce water use while the repairs are made,” he said. “Along with following our conservation request, residents also may consider postponing their spring plantings until after the shutdown.”
The 30-mile Rialto line, which stretches from the Devil Canyon power plant north of San Bernardino to the San Dimas power plant, showed no sign of damage when it was tested two years ago, officials said.
But a routine inspection this year revealed a weakened section in an 8-foot-diameter pipeline that showed breaks in 85 wires wrapped around the pipeline to strengthen it.
Water officials are not certain what caused the damage, but Muir said it may be the result of construction workers accidentally hitting the pipe while digging.
“We are rather perplexed,” he said. “We didn’t have any broken wires two years ago; now we have significant damage.”
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