With drought over, water restrictions get second look at some local utilities
Some local residents could see an easing of strict watering rules after the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California decided to stop rationing water to local utilities.
After Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed an end to the drought and with reservoirs at above-normal levels, the MWD's board of directors voted unanimously to eliminate the limits on imported water that were imposed on member agencies, including Glendale, Burbank and the Crescenta Valley, for nearly two years.
For some customers, the effects will be immediate. The Crescenta Valley Water District on Tuesday lifted outdoor irrigation restrictions completely. Property owners were previously limited to a three-day-a-week schedule.
Glendale Water & Power customers could also see the three-day outdoor watering rules suspended if the City Council approves a recommendation from the utility later this spring.
"We don't need extreme conservation, but we do need people to not waste water," said Peter Kavounas, assistant general manager for Glendale Water & Power.
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-- Melanie Hicken, Glendale News-Press / Times Community News
Photo: Many utilities had instituted strict outdoor watering rules but that may change soon. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Does this mean I can finally take a shower?
Posted by: Homeless Guy | April 13, 2011 at 11:47 AM
As someone who's grown up in and spent my entire life in California, it seems that droughts are more normal than "normal" rainfall, and our water infrastructure is clearly lacking. The "norm" in California is clearly a state of drought and water shortages, and our population is growing faster than our water supply.
Why on earth should we start allowing excessive watering of lawns just because we had one good rainfall year?
Its the equivalent of someone who is starving and broke finding a $100 bill on the ground and, rather than saving the money to feed them self for weeks, going to the most expensive restaurant in town and spending it all on a $100 steak. Yeah, its delicious right now, but tomorrow they're back to being broke and starving.
Thats kinda like California's water situation - if we aren't intelligent about continuing to conserve water through our "flush" period. (pun intended).
Posted by: mark | April 13, 2011 at 12:00 PM
We don't need extreme conservation, but we do need people to not waste water, "Peter Kavounas, assistant general manager for Glendale Water & Power.
I have to agree with Mr. Kavounas. Just because the drough is over, it doesn't mean we're going to waste what little we have gained. I believe in saving for you never know what the future has in stored for us all. Save, save, save as much as we can. (& I mean that in all aspects of life) Save & conserve for our childrens future.
Posted by: Tommy | April 13, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Of course ! we need to be more careful with our water , _always_ , not just when Shasta Lake is nearly dry as it has been for several years now .
California has a Medditeranian climate so water is a precious resource .
Posted by: Nate | April 13, 2011 at 12:15 PM
I do not understand why everyone in California are so concerned about water shortages and water waste. Only if the Californian government would just let the free market flow in the water industry. Then People will use water up to what is worth to them. Basic econimics supply and demand.
Posted by: Andrew | April 13, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Why not leave the restrictions in for a year or two to build up the reservoirs? I don't see too many brown lawns but a lot of watered sidewalks!
Posted by: ted w | April 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Oh Boy! I won't have to spray paint my lawn green this year.
Posted by: steve999 | April 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM
The water restrictions were merely an eyewash. I have seen a bunch of people washing down RVs, sidewalks regularly in the past one year. The guy washing the sidewalks was ridiculous - he would wash them even when it was raining!
Posted by: Vikram | April 13, 2011 at 01:06 PM
I think that they still need to keep restrictions in place. The drought is in fact, over . . . for now.
Posted by: John Taylor | April 13, 2011 at 01:14 PM
How about reducing our water rates now!
Posted by: sung cha | April 13, 2011 at 01:15 PM
I don't understand this at all. The current water level in Lake Mead (the largest reservoir in the country is at one of the lowest points since it started filling in the '30s.It's down over 100 feet in elevation and is something like 38% of capacity.Southern Calif.gets a lot of it's water from the Colorado River.
There was no enforement of the rationing but voluntary compliance did make a difference.
Posted by: Cougo | April 13, 2011 at 01:51 PM
I live in Long Beach where we have been rationing water even before mandatory restrictions. It's been a huge success. I have no intention of wasting water and we should keep the same restrictions in place. The drought is over NOW, but what about next year? Or the next year? And by the way, what's with that weird ANDREW posting about a free market? It's water, you tea party weirdo!
Posted by: Pam | April 13, 2011 at 02:48 PM
PRICES WENT UP DUE TO DROUGHT NOW NO DROUGHT, WELL NOW LOWER THE PRICES. HA HA , I THINK THAT WOULD BE COLD DAY IN HELL BEFORE THAT HAPPENS !!!! WAKE UP VOTERS!!
Posted by: JIM | April 13, 2011 at 02:58 PM
so when do our politicians start building more structures to collect rainwater?
Posted by: john | April 13, 2011 at 03:10 PM
There have been water restrictions?
Could not tell from all the watering of pavement.
Posted by: Madwander | April 14, 2011 at 06:06 AM
So we finally got the credit cards paid off and have some money in the bank.
So what do we do now? Well, let's go back to the wasteful practices that got us in trouble in the first place!
Money or water, need to be prudent, use what you need and don't waste.
Watering my lawn three times a week is plenty. Do I really need to water it to the equivalent of a tropical rainforest?
Posted by: Carlos E | April 25, 2011 at 02:04 PM