Asking Nicely Didn't Work: LA Water Restrictions May Be Coming

In June, Mayor Villaraigosa pleaded with residents to voluntarily cut back their water usage by 10%, noting the small snow pack in the Sierra and a record dry year. Turns out that the pleading didn't work. The overall water usage in Los Angeles barely budge, though city officials believe they may have a small decrease when the November stats are factored in. LAT:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Tuesday that he will decide early next year whether to impose mandatory curbs on water usage in Los Angeles.

"I will reassess that at the beginning of the year," Villaraigosa said. "We're going to have to do substantially better in conserving and reducing our water use."

In the past, city Department of Water and Power officials have said that they would not make that decision until February or March, after reviewing weather conditions.

The obvious contrast is Long Beach, which instituted mandatory restrictions in September. They have seen significant savings as a result.

At this point it looks like a better than even bet that the mayor will curb lawn watering and other non-essential water uses early next year. The city needs to save for a dry day, or years.