The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has declared a “drought emergency” in the region and gave recommendations for conservation and financial incentives to reduce water use.

In response, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has asked its customers to remain vigilant in their water conservation efforts.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, noted that the declaration’s timing followed the international community’s inaction on climate change at the Glasgow COP26 Climate Summit.

“While they go, in the words of Greta Thunberg, ‘Blah, blah, blah,’ we must address our local drought and extreme heat emergencies,” he said. “As we work to conserve water to protect against the drought, we must continue to water our trees to protect against the heat.”

LADWP receives a large portion of its water purchased from MWD – an average of 41% from 2016 to 2020 – which comes from the State Water Project via the California Aqueduct, as well as the Colorado River system via the Colorado River Aqueduct.

On the state level, California is in its second consecutive year of dry conditions, with 2021 being the second driest water year in the state’s recorded history. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation in October expanding the state’s drought emergency to Los Angeles County along with seven other counties that had previously been excluded.

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, said the declaration reinforced the city’s need to curb water use.

“While Los Angeles is leading the entire state and nation in local water conservation efforts, we all must do more,” he said. “Today’s joint report from the LADWP and the MWD makes clear the devastating impact of climate change in California – low rainfall and high heat days – while focusing on steps that each one of us can take. The realities of climate change are real, and we all need to do our part.”

Since 2009, LADWP has remained at Phase 2 of the city’s Water Conservation Ordinance, limiting outdoor watering with sprinklers to three days a week.

To help customers save water and reduce their water bills, LADWP offers rebates and incentive programs that encourage water use efficiency.

For information, visit ladwp.com/save.