Los Angeles Must Cut Water Use by 20 Percent by 2017 Under Mayor’s Order

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signs an executive directive aimed at curbing the city’s water use on Oct. 14, 2014. (Credit: KTLA)

by: Los Angeles Times, Christina Pascucci

Posted: Oct 14, 2014 / 01:14 PM PDT

Updated: Oct 14, 2014 / 10:18 PM PDT

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L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an executive directive on Tuesday requiring Los Angeles to reduce its fresh water use 20% by 2017 as a response to the prolonged drought.

Garcetti also asked L.A. departments to dramatically cut the amount of water used by replacing lawns and other city landscaping, including street medians, with less thirsty plants.

“Our relationship with water must evolve,” Garcetti said. “We cannot afford the water policies of the past. We must conserve, recycle and rethink how we use our water to save money and make sure that we have enough water to keep L.A. growing.”

The mayor also directed that the city’s Department of Water and Power reduce its purchases of costlier imported water by 50% by the year 2024.

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