By McLean Grimes
Executive News Editor
Los Angeles residents were required to cease watering their lawns for 15 days starting Sept. 6 to aid in the emergency repair of the Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) upper feeder pipeline.
Manhattan Beach was first informed of the county-wide ban on Aug. 8. All residents were required to comply, even though a major heat wave brought high temperatures to the city.
“The city will be fully compliant with the outdoor watering ban,” said Manhattan Beach Public Works Director Erick Lee.
To act in accordance with the ban, Manhattan Beach turned off all outdoor irrigation lines with the intent to stop all residents from outdoor watering. In addition to this, residents are encouraged to take shorter showers, collect leftover shower water to water plants, and to minimize overall running water use.
“With this heat, a lot of my plants could die,” said Manhattan Beach resident Mark Sprauge. “I watered them fully the day before the shutdown, but this heat is already drying them out. I’m going to do my best to try and not water them.”
Those who do not follow the ban were approached by city council staff and told to reduce their water usage as well as reminding them that there is a watering ban in place. Manhattan Beach is hoping to educate residents on their water usage for the future by sending out several pamphlets about conserving water.
“My plants should be okay, since I will not stop watering them during the water ban,” said a Redondo Beach resident who chose to remain anonymous. “Most of our California politicians have multiple homes with huge yards and swimming pools; my 200-square foot yard shouldn’t have to suffer.”
Several locations in Manhattan Beach that use recycled water to irrigate their lawns are excused from the watering ban. The MWD was responsible for releasing the information to the city about the watering ban, as well as fixing the pipeline.
“All information the city has been provided with by [the] MWD indicates [that] the repair will be completed during the two-week window,” said Lee. “The city is not anticipating any extension at this time.”
Preceding the ban, the Manhattan Beach Office of Communications published a press release on June 28: “Manhattan Beach Drought-Related Relations,” which called for Manhattan Beach residents to limit their outdoor water usage to two days per week for 15-minute intervals. Most of the city’s parks used recycled water for outdoor watering. However, the places that used drinking water were impacted by having much of their grass dry out.
“In response to California’s persistent drought conditions, the city council has declared a Stage 2 water shortage and imposed drought restrictions in accordance with the emergency water conservation regulations enacted by the State Water Resources Control Board,” said the Manhattan Beach Drought-Related Relations press release.
According to Lee, overall water consumption in Manhattan Beach has gone down by about 10% since July 2021. The city’s end goal is to have the total water usage reduced by 20%, hopefully, with the cooperation of residents.
“Residents have been both curious and cooperative,” said Lee. “We have good reason to believe that our community will do its part to contribute to this important regional effort.”
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