New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation

According to the directive, "the just completed 2013-2014 rain season was the seventh driest year in Los Angeles since recordkeeping began in 1877, and the combined last three years represent the third driest 3-year stretch on record."

The drought has led the city of Los Angeles to increase use of imported water to over 80 percent of its total consumption. In light of the state of the city's water consumption, Mayor Eric Garcetti recently mandated a new directive with three overarching goals: reducing per capita potable water use by 20 percent by 2017, reducing DWP’s purchases of imported potable water by 50 percent by 2024, and creating an integrated water strategy that increases local water supplies and that improves water security in the context of climate change and seismic vulnerability.

Residents are being called to voluntarily reduce their outdoor watering from three days to two days, to replace turf lawns with drought-tolerant native landscaping, to use low-flow plumbing fixtures, and to ensure all pools have pool covers. While residential reductions are currently voluntary, if the city is unable to meet its benchmark goals, these directives could become mandatory.