Are you a water waster? Do your sprinklers run during a rain storm? When you water your lawn, does it runoff into the street? If so, your neighbors are watching and they’re using the magic of the internet to tell the whole world about it. Some of your neighbors might be posting videos of your wastefulness on YouTube and similar internet sites. Others may be taking pictures and sending them to your local water agency requesting they send you a notice. With new water restrictions and higher rates occurring in cities such as Los Angeles, neighbors are turning on each other. Every gallon of wasted water, is one less gallon for the rest of us. We all need to do our part to conserve. Southern California is in the midst of a severe drought. Reservoirs are drying up due to unusually low snowfall in the Sierras, expanding population, and environmental issues in the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta. Don’t give your neighbors a reason to turn you in. Keep your irrigation system in tip top working condition and conserve water where you can. Below is a video from KCET with more on the story.

In need of irrigation repair services? Contact LAsprinklerrepair.com at (800) 339-2102 or email info @ wcgminc.com. Services are provided by WCGM, Inc., a licensed landscape contractor.

If you are a customer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, beginning June 1st new outdoor watering restrictions and higher water rates will take effect. Are you ready? If you’re not familiar with the city’s water conservation ordinance, then you should probably take the time to read through this article, because if you don’t, it could cost you some money.

Southern California is in it’s third year of drought. Less than average snowfall in the Sierras, an increasing population, and water reductions due to environmental concerns in the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta region have all combined to create a severe water shortage. The city of Los Angeles has decided to invoke the next phase of their water conservation plan which increases water rates and adds new watering restrictions.

Under the new phase of the ordinance, the following is illegal:

• Watering using sprinklers on any day other than Monday and Thursday
• Watering landscaping (including lawns) between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm
• Watering using rotor (gear driven) type sprinklers for more than 15 minutes per station, and more than 10 minutes for all other type sprinklers (excluding drip irrigation)
• Using water on any hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways or parking areas
• Allowing runoff onto streets and gutters from excessive watering
• Allowing leaks from any pipe or fixture to go unrepaired
• Using water to clean, fill or maintain decorative fountains unless the water is part of a recirculating system
• Permitting watering during periods of rain

It’s probably important to note that the ordinance also specifically states that large landscape areas, such as parks and open fields, must have rain shut off devices installed. Large landscape area is left somewhat open to interpretation, but it’s probably a good idea to install a rain shut off device on your system if you don’t have one. The above restrictions do not apply to the use of reclaimed water, so long as it does not result in excess water flow or runoff. Large turf customers such as parks and golf courses can deviate from the specified non-watering days as long as their irrigation system includes weather-based irrigation controllers; however, each station is still limited to the number days allowed to irrigate. Also, low-flow drip type irrigation when no emitter produces more than 2 gallons per hour are exempt from the 10 minute time limit.

Penalties for non-compliance are based on water meter size. Customers with a meter smaller than 2 inches will receive a written notice for the first violation. A second violation within a 12 month period will result in a $100 surcharge, a third violation within 12 months is $200, and it’s $300 for a fourth violation. After a fifth violation, the LADWP may install a flow restricting device. For a 2″ meter or larger it’s a written notice for the first violation, $200 for a second violation within a 12 month period, $400 for a third and $600 for the fourth. Again, a fifth violation will lead to the LADWP installing a flow restricting device.

On June 1 “Shortage Year Water Rates” will also take effect, this could mean a higher water bill for you if you don’t take steps to reduce your consumption. Tier 1 rates are the lowest rate you can purchase water at. This new phase of the ordinance cuts the amount of water you can purchase at the Tier 1 rate by 15%. If you’re already using 15% less than your allotment, you will not see an increase in your water bill. However, if you exceed the reduced Tier 1 allotment, you will end up paying the higher Tier 2 rate and will most definitely see an increase in your water bill.

Did you know that as much as 50% of your water consumption occurs outdoors? By following the above restrictions, and implementing some simple water conservation tips, you can reduce the amount of water you use dramatically. We all need to do our part to help conserve this precious resource. The population will continue to grow, but the amount of available water will not. The next phase of the water conservation plan calls for watering only 1 day per week and the following phase allows no watering at all. Los Angeles is an oasis in the middle of the desert. To keep it that way we need to be smart about how we use our water.

If you would like further information please visit the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s website at www.ladwp.com or contact them by phone at (800) DIAL DWP. For some outdoor conservation tips check out “Top 10 Water Conservation Tips“. For irrigation repair services contact LAsprinklerrepair.com at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. Services are provided by WCGM, Inc., a licensed landscape contractor.

With the impending threat of water rationing all across Southern California due to years of drought, an opportunity has opened up for landscape contractors who specialize in water conservation. We plan to fill that niche by providing services such as:

• Irrigation system and sprinkler tuning
• “Smart” controller, rain and moisture sensor installations
• Sprinkler head and general irrigation system retrofitting
• News, tips, and other information on water conservation

Of course we’ll still offer more common services such as sprinkler, pipe, and valve repairs. Keeping your irrigation system in pristine condition is extremely important. Thousands of gallons of water are wasted every day down the storm drain due to broken sprinklers. Many cities are beginning to levy hefty fines on both businesses and residences when they find offenders. Keeping your system working properly will save water and money. We can help.

It is our mission to help our customers reduce their water consumption while still maintaining a healthy, green landscape. Education is the key, and we believe that lasprinklerrepair.com, and it’s sister site ocsprinklerrepair.com can be leaders in the industry providing useful information to Southern California’s residents that will help them save our most precious asset, water.

If you’re interested in our services or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (800) 339-2102 or by email at info @ wcgminc.com. Our service area includes most of Los Angeles County and all of Orange County as well. WCGM, Inc. is licensed, bonded, and insured.