Water Restrictions Survey

LA County Water Restrictions - A Letter and Survey From the Topanga Town Council
Published June 10, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

Dear Topanga Resident,

On June 1, 2022, the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts issued mandatory water restrictions due to severe drought in California, accumulating over the past three years. The Topanga Town Council is currently in communication with local and state officials on how to create better and smarter water management policies that address allotment and equity issues.

We have heard from many Topangans expressing confusion and concerns regarding the new mandatory restrictions. The notification of the water restrictions came as an email and/or voice message on or around May 27, 2022. If you have not seen this notification, click here.

The Topanga Town Council is soliciting input from residents and business owners regarding any emerging concerns, questions, comments, or challenges. Below, we have compiled a short list of some of the questions that residents have sent to the Town Council. But we want to hear from all of you. Share your concerns about the water restrictions via this very brief questionnaire. (Your privacy is important to us. The TTC will not share any contact information collected through this survey.)

WATER RESTRICTIONS

   - Is the 20-minute per week water allotment in alignment with fire protocol in keeping vegetation green to reduce fire risk? How to maintain fire-resistant landscaping in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
- How to keep oaks alive.
- How to address newly planted fire-resistant landscaping.
- Is watering by hand allowed? Is a drip system considered watering by hand?
- Are businesses required to comply with the 30% reduction? How are they to comply?
- Are other industries required to meet an equitable reduction as enforced on localities? Do residents have the biggest burden of water reduction compliance?

COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

- How is compliance monitored and enforced? Do we get a warning first?
- How much is the fine for ‘non-compliance’? Are the fines equitable between income levels?
- Are individual homes being monitored for compliance on a daily or monthly basis, such as through smart meters?
- Is there a calculation for multiple units on a single property? How many people are assumed to live in each dwelling unit?
- How is the 30% water-use reduction rate calculated? From last enforced reduction? From last month?
- Can exceptions be made for special needs? Whom do we contact for these requests?

To view a letter from Senator Henry Stern to the California Department of Water Resources, click here.

The next Topanga Town Council meeting — June 15, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm — will focus on water issues. Please join us virtually:

Topic: TTC General Meeting - June 15, 2022
Time: June 15, 2022 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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Passcode: 306660

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