More than 4 million residents living in Los Angeles County must suspend outdoor watering for 15 days in September because of emergency pipeline repairs, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) announced on Aug. 15.
The 36-mile pipeline, a critical conduit that delivers Colorado River water into Southern California, was set to be repaired next month after a leak was discovered earlier this year. The repair will take place from Sept. 6 to Sept. 20, and the pipeline will be shut down during this period, according to the MWD.
“We need to make this urgent repair to ensure this infrastructure can continue serving Southern California in the immediate term and for years to come. While we do this work, we need people who normally get water from this pipeline to eliminate their outdoor water use to stretch the limited available water supplies,” MWD Operations Manager Brent Yamasaki said in a statement.
Prior to the shutdown, residents are urged to delay new planting, avoid fertilizing lawns, and weed gardens to make more water available for plants. Residents should have their sprinklers turned off on the evening of Sept. 5.
“Remember—two weeks without watering will not kill your lawn. You will notice some yellowing, but it will improve once you return to your normal watering schedule,” Yamasaki said.
During the two-week shutdown, residents are urged to eliminate all outdoor watering and avoid mowing lawns. Residents are also urged to take short showers and collect water as the shower warms up to water houseplants or sensitive outdoor plants.
Hand watering will be permitted in some cities during the two-week period. Visit bewaterwise.com for more water-saving tips.
