LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved water surcharges Tuesday of up to two times the regular rate for county water district customers in the Antelope Valley who fail to cut water use by 30 percent or more to meet new conservation targets.
County officials had originally considered tripling charges to penalize heavy users. But in response to complaints from residents who said the targets – requiring some households to cut use by up to 80 percent – were unfair, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl suggested holding penalties for the first year to a maximum two times the base water cost.
“There is a lot of concern… that everything was so sudden,” Kuehl said of residents’ reaction to the conservation plan.
Some residents said the water-use targets, based on area averages rather than individual household use, were unfair to large families and those who were already working hard to conserve water.
Department of Public Works officials said the allocations were designed to target those using the greatest share of the county’s scarce water resources.
If households were asked to cut use based on their own 2013 baseline, water-efficient households would be forced to “cut from a very low level, which would be almost impossible,” DPW Assistant Deputy Director Adam Ariki said.
Ariki said customers could appeal their allocations on the basis of household size and other critical needs. Staffers committed to resolve appeals within 20 days.
![[Click image to view PowerPoint]](https://theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Waterworks-PPT.jpg)
All customers of the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts are being asked to cut back, though those hardest hit are residents of areas with the highest per-capita water use.
Under the plan, Antelope Valley residents are being asked to cut back water use by 32 percent on average, using a 2013 baseline.
According to the Department of Public Works, 34 percent of customers in the Antelope Valley already meet their allocations. However, about one-third of residents use at least 50 percent more water than they are allocated.
Some said it would be impossible to reach targets they’ve been set.
“We’d be thrilled at 32 percent,” Antelope Valley resident Michelle Lewis told the board. But she’s being asked to cut use by 80 percent. “The allotments just don’t seem to be fair.”
Others said they’d be forced to let trees die and wouldn’t have enough water to manage basic needs.
Public works officials said residents would have plenty of water for indoor use as nearly 75 percent of water is used outdoors.
The state has targeted an allocation of 50 gallons per person per day of indoor use and under the county plan, Antelope Valley residents are being allocated 140 gallons per person, according to Ariki.
The county is offering free water audits to residents to help identify ways for them to meet targets without hardship.
Based on Tuesday’s vote, for the first year, surcharges of 50 to 100 percent will be billed to county water district customers who fail to meet set targets. Water used in excess of the target and up to 115 percent of the target will be hit with a 50 percent surcharge. Any additional water used will carry a 100 percent surcharge.
The board unanimously approved the conservation plan as amended.
[Information via City News Service.]
Previous related stories:
County postpones vote on penalties for water wasters
Palmdale Water District issues emergency water conservation restrictions
Quartz Hill Water District to enforce mandatory restrictions
j says
when our grass died they wanted to charge us a$100 a day we had to go to the courthouse and relandscape that week. they’re money hungry and will get it any way they have to.
Lori says
I was at the meeting the other day. They are going to reevaluate next February. So, basically they are saying that everyone will cut back and survive on this and they will cut back more and charge us more.
These people that make the decisions are making the drought continue. When you remove vegetation, you higher the temperature making it less likely to rain. Ways that we can help with shortening the drought is maintain our outside plants, especially trees, turn off anything that creates heat. Heat rises and the clouds will not drop rain when they are warm. Street lights need to be turned off where not needed, people need to not use drive through’s, traffic lights need to be synchronized to prevent cars from sitting for long periods of time, outside lighting needs to be abandoned. The desert needs to cool down! Removing vegetation and adding cement, bare ground, rocks, etc., is lessening our chance for a good rain.
It was also reported at the meeting that the AV water table is actually higher than it has been in years, due to the alfalfa growers using reclaimed water instead of fresh water. This is the same water the city collects from us and charges us to collect in the form of sewage fees, and then charges the growers.
An attorney needs to step up to bat and help save the water users in the AV. People up north do not even have water meters! People with their own wells do not have to cut back.
Nick says
You don’t understand basic earth science do you?
None of the things you listed actually have an impact on the temperature outside.
Billy says
“Heat rises and the clouds will not drop rain when they are warm.” That’s hilarious!
Greg says
That is a very basic statement that holds some credibility.
The air can hold a lot of water, the warmer it is the more water it can hold. It takes cold air to cause the moisture to condense/collect around dust, etc and fall.
Sometimes it does rain because the upper air is cold, but upon falling it encounters warmer air and evaporates long before we see it. Basically a mist starts, turns into a sprinkle, then evaporates before it can get to ‘rainfall’.
wb says
how can the state of California raise taxes,without calling them taxes?easy,penalize the water districts for not meeting there “state” imposed reduction levels.water districts penalize the consumers so they can pay the state.state of California rakes in millions of extra dollars from californias,without calling it a tax.wake up!!!!
110dog says
Who get the money. Why don’t they sent t extra money to your favorite charity.
Michael Rives says
The staff of AVEK, the water board that allocates water, and a director Rob Parris (Bro of the Mayor) spoke before the LANC city council at the last meeting. What I got out of their presentation is what I believe is going to occur: AVEK showed a bar graph of the dry and wet years for the AV. My conclusion: we are in a cycle. As one state official recently was quoted in the paper, one good rainy season will put us back to normal. I guess we are half-normal with our current rainfall amounts. The bottom line is everyone is freaking out and tearing up their lawns, etc. You will be sorry when the rains come and weeds start growing up through the rocks in your front yard. However, I have two questions: will the curbs on water use automatically expire when the El Nino rains hit? What is LA COUNTY WATERWORKS 40 and other going to do with the money they get from penalizing those who use too much water? Hey, guys, everyone calm down. Rainy days are coming!
Mary says
Have others compared their water allocation to their neighbors and friends? My allocation (East Lancaster) is half that of a house on 20th West and K. How is that? The water board manipulated the numbers or just used a random number for the allocation. It is nonsense that they did not use our 2013 rates, which would really be an accurate number. Their reasoning is flawed, why??? One would have to ask who would benefit from the excess “penalties” they would rake in. It is all about the money….not the conservation. Otherwise it would be fair, honest and equitable water conservation effort. We were grouped in with Marina Del Ray and Malibu, both communities with money to spare, again, why? My take is that the AV is filled with low income residents who get their water bills subsidized….so, theoretically, we have the deep pockets of Marina Del Ray and Malibu. Once again, it is working class family’s that will bear the cost once again. I will appeal but I know it will be of no avail. They want the money and the money they will have.
We, as residents of the Antelope Valley get together to fight this? We sat back while they did this with our Electricity rates and we are still paying for that. I am just ill-equipped to fight it on my own.
Annon says
2013 rates wouldn’t work for me because i bought my house then, in June 2013 and spent 5 month renovating it. 5 months of no family living there and little water use. Im in Palmdale btw….. god bless us all
Confused says
How did you get information about your neighbor’s water allocation? How do I find out what my allocation is? I assume something will come in the mail…
Mary says
If you want a green lawn and all your plants and trees to flourish so that your area does not run down, then you have to find ways to cut back that 35%. For me, I JUST started washing ALL my clothes at the Laundromat which will cut back my water use by at least 25%. I only take baths and instead of a full bath, I only use enough water to cover my legs (NO longer up to my neck to soak in Epson Salt) I brush my teeth with the water off. And when I wash dishes, I turn the water off when not needed. This will be my 35%. Everyone has to figure out what is most important to them. I love my washer but I love my lawn MUCH MUCH more. I can’t be fined for keeping my lawn green as long as I have cut back as required. I know that washing at the Laundromat is not fun but again, I had to ask myself what is more important, clothes, my bath time, or my lawn. For me: my lawn. Can anyone recommend other ways I can cut back? Any help is needed so that I can keep my grass. I just brought in a waste basket so that I don’t have to flush the toilet every time I pee. I can throw my used tissue in the waste basket and flush only when I do number 2.
Gary says
Interesting that the county would go this route given that there was a recent state appellate court ruling that San Juan Capistrano’s tiered water pricing system is unconstitutional.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article19194072.html#storylink=cpy
Mary says
Oh trust me, so is ours. I will leave that fighting up to the people that know how to fight and win for us. But in the meantime, I will cut back because I do agree that there is a serious drought. But to fine people the way they have decided is unconstitutional and I can almost guarantee someone is going to fight this all the way to the top – and win.
Bill Myloir says
So throwing money at a drought creates more water? Throwing the citizens under the bus is just profiteering. Are they going to start digging reservoirs for rain that will never come? If money was going to bring water back to the state, Quartz Hill Water District shouldn’t have spent money on their brand new state of the art office on Ave L! Something stinks here! Screw those jerks. There IS a solution however, I can tell you all how to save water; shower with a friend or stranger. It’s the only way and it’s fun!
iamme says
For many years we have cut back on our water usage. Even with this new amended plan, we are being told to cut back more than 50%. We have a washing machine that uses a lot less water, and we have watered twice to three times a week for over ten years. When it is hot and windy we have lightly watered in the evenings to keep our lawn from sunburning. Our water usage during the fall and winter months is quite low due to letting the lawn go dormant (Our target is even 50% lower for those months! Feels like we are being punished for doing the right thing!) I only run my dishwasher when it is full, only run the washer when I have a full load. Shower (low flow), wash my hands while cooking, flush the toilets (low flow), etc. Obviously not watering our lawn will not cut our water usage down to the target we have been given (because they cut our cold weather amount down). Have to flush! Have to bathe! Have to have clean dishes and clothing! Have to brush my teeth! Oh, and what happens when we have guests? Not let them bathe? Then we have our front lawn tree that the city planted and the lawn that was mandatory. Not everyone can afford to have front and/or backyards xeriscaped. Are we going to be fined for having brown lawns and possibly dead trees? Penalizing hardworking people for making an honest effort to use less while still trying to maintain their property is only going to hurt them. We’ve put a lot of time and money into maintaining our home and that investment is about to be thrown down the drain! We cannot even fertilize our lawn because we cannot water enough! Half my backyard is already starting to die due to the heat and wind and lack of water! Meanwhile, water runs off into the street behind my house where the city waters frequently! QHHS always has a huge amount of runoff from its grounds! Before demanding that homeowners lower their usage beyond the 25% Statewide reduction, let’s see the city set an example by lowering their usage! “34 percent of customers in the Antelope Valley already meet their allocations” Are these customers single family homes or apartments? What about businesses, how much are they cutting back? Even if some customers are meeting their allocation, shouldn’t they too have to cut back 25-50%? I do not mind cutting back more. It will be difficult, but what happened to everyone cutting back 25%?
BTW, This not only will cut in to already strained budgets it also has the potential to cost many their livelihoods. Quit building more homes, hotels, and businesses! Each new building requires more water!
JohnO says
You can turn your Brown Lawn Green without watering with this: 1,000 Sq. Ft. 4EverGreen Grass and Turf Paint
by EnviroColor
Link: http://amzn.com/B00KZ9EIV8
It can also be order from Home Depot Online.
You will need a small 1.25 Gallon Sprayer at harbor freight.
Shirley Kohl says
Gary Hildebrand, speaking for District 40, said the amount targeted for every resident in the district is 140 gallons per day. 80% cuts is already evidence they have a mistake somewhere, but on top of that…
Cut from avg use at 32%: 140 gal X .32 = 44.8 gal (cut). 140 – 44.8 = 95.2 gal
Where did they come up with 50 gallons of water a person? That’s how much an average person is supposed to cut from average use! Did they really confuse the amount to be cut with the amount left after the cut??? What else did they get wrong?
Heavy users may be conserving. If someone has horses, they graze, they drink, they use water. An apartment dweller is not using as much because they don’t have horses. Who horses, goats and chickens should just be killed right now? They have committed the crime of being owned by someone who is not commercial or a farmer. Is this right? Letting trees die isn’t justified either.
Gary Hildebrand said this problem could be fixed during the appeals process. He said the turn around time would be twenty days. Mayor Anotonovich told District 40 to make the appeals process easy, and tell everyone in District 40 how to use it.
Everyone who is asked to cut more than our share of 32% should appeal. Does the process work or not? Let’s all find out.
h says
when can I water my lawn
annette says
How am I supposed to cut an additional 30 percent when I’ve been conserving for several years now?! We have timers in our showers and only take 2 minute showers without washing hair and 3 with washing hair. My grass already looks horrible, I can’t do the cash for grass through PWD because they ran out of funds. What am I supposed to do? When the time comes, the city with make us replace the grass that died off or get fined. This is insane!
Jaymie says
I think what needs to be done first and foremost is to have city officials drive around all the schools, businesses, city buildings and see how much water is being wasted. I drive past A.V.C every morning and water is just pouring out into the street. Gutters that flood with water from people’s yards. And I think we need to stop worrying about this stupid smelt fish that lives in the Aqua duct, seems like they care more for a stupid fish than human beings.
amber says
If California was so concerned about the drought, why won’t they shut down water parks or stop wasting the dead plants on the side of the freeway? It makes no sense to charge homeowners especially ones that are with the homeowners association who said your grass had to be up to par. How is that fair?!?!
cdl123 says
I have some serious reservations concidering the water the DWP dumps into the ocean. Some of this I honestly believe is about getting as much money as possible. Some cut back on water already. There isn’t 33% to cut back. Jerk’s.
Confused says
I’m trying to figure out what length of time the 33,000 gallon goal is per? Is that monthly, bi monthly, yearly?
B. says
Buy and install faucet locking devices…
We did, after we were billed 200$ by PWD
for water stolen when we were away for one day….
:+/
Jane says
This is the biggest load of crap!!! I have a family of 7….we’re supposed to use the same amount of water as a family of 2? I’m not supposed to bathe my children?
It’s a slap in the face…”STOP using the water that you pay for!” So sick of this state.
Nancy Schmidt says
Jane, I don’t know which water company you are with, but I am with Quartz Hill Water Dist. I found out that they base your allotment on 3 persons per household, but if you have more your base allotment will be increased. I have four, so they sent me a form to fill out which will give extra water at the lower rate. I am subject to audit, which is fine. I just have to show proof there are 4 people permanently residing at my house. With 7 people in your house, that could really make a difference. Call your water company and ask them if they do that. Good luck!
annette says
I did the same thing a few years back through PWD, I just needed to bring my tax return to prove the 5 people who live in our home.
Bill Myloir says
Seven? Seriously? You are seriously a burden on the state. You must give up two.
James Stouvenel says
LOL
Annon says
Tf…. how am i supposed to cut it this much when i have done almost all i can do.
Like i’ve said before, (my whole household) pee’s in the toilet and we don’t flush it until the need arises. Moved the washer outside and capture the gray water using 55 gallon drums and using the water on the lawn. Turned my sprinklers off. Our toilets are HIGH efficiency toilets, not lo flow. i just rinse up in the shower than turn the water off then wash up then turn the water on again to rinse off. I’ve done all i can do…. like wtf. what else do i have to do? any ideas anyone?
rooney says
Us too! But now I’m even more concerned that someone would steal my water when I’m away, like “B” above stated. Hmmm, time for cameras outside!
Greg says
I live in a more rural area and lived through a drought once where people stole water from my parents. I just purchased spigot lock systems for my easily accessible front yard. You can find them on Amazon. There are many types to choose from based on location, shape of handles, etc.
Confused says
Ate you sure you aren’t already meeting the threshold? I think people wroth big lawns are the main issue, or maybe not even very big lawns just sort of average sized lawns.