In response to California’s announcement of an initial 0% allocation of water from the State Water Project, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is alerting customers to the severity of the water shortage that the state is facing and urging them to take immediate steps to reduce their water use.

LADWP receives a significant portion of its annual water supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Through MWD, LADWP receives an average of 40% of its water supply from the SWP via the California Aqueduct and, in dry years, can receive approximately 60%.

The initial 0% allocation from the state is just the latest in a series of actions taken due to two years of dry conditions and to prepare for a third. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency in October, and MWD announced a regional drought emergency in November.

“We want to stress to our residents, businesses large and small, and industrial customers, the dire situation we are now facing as a result of two consecutive dry years, and that by further conserving water now, they can make a big difference,” said Anselmo Collins, head of LADWP’s Water System. “For those who are already vigilant in conserving water, we thank you and ask that you look around your home and place of work to see if you can cut back your use even further. For those who have not yet reduced their use and aren’t following the city’s mandatory water conservation ordinance, now is the time to comply. We need every single LADWP customer to step up and take action as we face a third dry year and serious drought.”

Since 2009, LADWP has remained at Phase 2 of the city’s Water Conservation Ordinance, which limits outdoor watering to three days a week, along with other prohibited uses of water. As water supply conditions continue to develop, LADWP may take further steps to mandate conservation, including further limiting outdoor watering.

For information, visit ladwp.com.