Drought periods such as those currently occurring in Europe have been known in California for a long time. The state and the entire western United States has been affected by this for years and the situation is getting dramatically worse. Given the historic water shortage, the Los Angeles authorities have imposed restrictions on private consumption: Among other things, lawns can only be watered twice a week for a maximum of eight minutes. The authorities carry out checks and also punish if someone does not follow the guidelines.
Every day Damon Ayala patrols the streets of loose Angelestackle water waste. Ayala works for the water board of loose Angeles, which handles hundreds of complaints about water wastage every week. Anyone who does not follow the rules will receive a warning. “People often don’t know the rules and we have to educate them first,” Ayala says.
But anyone who continues to waste water faces fines of between $200 and $600. The money may not bring more water, but it could cause those affected to change their behavior. In the case of persistent repeat offenders, a device is installed after the fifth violation that limits the water consumption of the household. But that rarely happens, Ayala says.
Desert vegetation instead of green lawn
In fact, the water board reports initial successes. According to their information, water consumption by private households decreased in June compared to the same month last year. But if the drought worsens, more sweeping changes to the cityscape may be needed. Los Angeles is traditionally known for its palm trees and lush green lawns — but more and more residents are now beginning to replace water-intensive vegetation with desert plants — such as California oaks and flowers that can get by on just a few drops of water for a week.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
