L.A. City Council Must Revote On Water-Rationing Schedule

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-1 Wednesday to approve a new water-rationing schedule that would allow residents to turn on their sprinklers three days a week.

Because councilmember Janice Hahn voted against the proposed changes, the issue will be revisited next week. Voting must be unanimous for approval.

Department of Water and Power customers are currently allowed to irrigate their lawns for just 15 minutes each Monday and Thursday, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Experts blamed that schedule for a rash of devastating water main breaks last summer.

Under the proposed new ordinance, odd-numbered addresses would irrigate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and even-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to minimize evaporation.

Street addresses ending in 1/2 would follow the schedule for the last whole number in the address.

Residents would be able to turn on non-conserving nozzles, such as spray head sprinklers and bubblers, for up to eight minutes a day, or 24 minutes a week.

The DWP also intends to increase the rebate on water-conserving sprinkler nozzles to $8 per nozzle, which covers the purchase price.

More details are available at the DWP.

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