L.A. prepares massive water-conservation plan

[devilgrrl]

The initiative would punish water wasters and limit such activities as watering lawns and washing vehicles. And it would revive a controversial effort to recycle sewage water.


With vital and often-distant water sources shrinking, Los Angeles officials today will revive a controversial proposal to recycle wastewater as part of a plan to curb usage and move the city toward greater water independence.

The aggressive, multiyear proposal could do much to catch the city up to other Southern California communities that have launched advanced recycling programs.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's effort could cost up to $2 billion and affect a wide range of daily activities. For example, residents would be urged to change their clothes' washers, and new restrictions would be placed on how and when they could water lawns and clean cars.

Financial incentives and building code changes would be used to incorporate high-tech conservation equipment in homes and businesses. Builders would be pushed to install waterless urinals, weather-sensitive sprinkler systems and porous parking lot paving that allows rain to percolate into groundwater supplies.

Just to meet a 15% increase in demand by 2030, officials say 32 billion gallons a year will have to be saved or recaptured -- enough to cover the San Fernando Valley with a foot of water.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-lawater15-2008may15,0,5180570.story?track=rss

[rucky]

1. This has been a big regional issue for years.

it's about time they address it.

[driver8]

2. Fucking - A! It's about time!

I walk my dog around my neighborhood everyday and cannot believe the water that gets wasted. If I had a dime for every sprinkler I see that shoots water into the street, I would be a rich man.

We have a neighbor who wastes more water than I could ever imagine. His house has the greenest lawn on the block, and his sprinklers are always going. Not only that, but the family has 3 cars plus a huge RV and they are always washing them in the driveway or the street.

My wife and I have planted drought tolerant plants in our front yard and have quit watering the grass on our side yard. It is not worth a green lawn to waste the thousands of gallons needed to keep it that way.

People in Southern California need to wake the fuck up!

[Johonny]

3. I agree

[Nikki Stone1]

5. What I have never understood is why people plant water-hungry lawns in a desert climate.

Congrats for the drought tolerant plants.

But like you, I have seen lots of Angelinos waste water on lawns and I'm tired of it.

[devilgrrl]

6. Yeah, they do!!!!!!!!!!

I've been doing my part in the kitchen and bathroom. Wet down, and rinse, the water stays off in between.

[devilgrrl]

4. Kick

:kick:

[ensho]

7. kicking for sanity

nt

[devilgrrl]

8. kick again.

This is important.

[driver8]

9. Kick. n/t

[devilgrrl]

10. Please keep kicking this!!!

Thanks!

[devilgrrl]

11. I need to keep kicking this

:hide:

[Gold Metal Flake]

12. Remember what Tom Bradley said re: toilets?

"If it's yellow, leave it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."