July 2022 • Volume 50 • Number 7
“Who Ya Gonna Call?” LADWP’s WCRU is Patrolling the City for Water Wasters
“Who Ya Gonna Call?” LADWP’s WCRU is Patrolling the City
for Water Wasters
“Who Ya Gonna Call?” LADWP’s WCRU is Patrolling the City
for Water Wasters
By Mia Rose Wong
“Drought Busters,” “Water CRU (pronounced ‘crew’)” and the Water Conservation Response Unit (WCRU) – the team has been called many different names, but one thing that hasn’t changed is their crucial role in enforcing the City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance.
Established in 2014, WCRU has been hitting the streets to address water waste citywide. Not only do they investigate potential water waste, but they educate residential and commercial customers about the importance of implementing conservation practices.
With the drought now in its third year, stronger water conservation rules went into effect June 1st for LADWP customers. As a result, the WCRU ramped up patrol to ensure customers are aware of the new restrictions and in compliance. All LADWP customers, residential and commercial, are now limited to two-days-a-week outdoor watering, which was a transition from three-days-a-week outdoor watering. Customers with street addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Mondays and Fridays and customers with even-numbered street addresses may water on Thursdays and Sundays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
During a press event in May, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer Martin L. Adams said, "In selecting the option offered by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to go on a water budget, we believe we can manage our system to meet the limitations in water delivery by MWD by going to two-days-a-week watering, while giving customers recognition for the significant conservation efforts they have already made for over a decade.”
A typical day of a WCRU team member starts with a review of any complaints that have been reported. A team member will then go out to their respective assigned Council Districts and patrol the areas for potential violations. If a violation is witnessed, WCRU will send a citation warning along with education material with tips on how to use water more efficiently. For repeat offenders, monetary fines can be issued starting at $200 and going up to $600. Since June 1, approximately 203 complaints have been received and of those complaints, 13 warnings were issued. No monetary fines have been issued.
There are currently six members of the WCRU, three of which are dedicated to patrolling L.A., a city of 4 million people. In light of the drought, LADWP will be adding two additional field members by next month. Their efforts, along with several rebates and incentives for customers, have helped L.A. cut water consumption in June by 9 percent.
Photos by Art Mochizuki.
“While our team was created to enforce the city water ordinance, the WCRU sees this more as an opportunity to educate our customers and strive for behavioral change. Whether it’s providing information on the ordinance or water conservation tips, our team is here to help our customers make that change.”
Laurence Springer, Water Conservation Specialist (WCRU)
Our water conservation staff has given numerous media interviews to explain the new Phase 3 water use restrictions. Over 30 stories were reported between May 23 - June 1, and we continue fielding requests. Media outlets also go out with our water conservation staff as they patrol neighborhoods seeking leaks and responding to complaints of potential violations. Our staff emphasizes educating customers about compliance prior to issuing a violation notice. Watch an interview with a Water Conservation Specialist from NBC4 News.
Written and published by the Corporate Strategy and Communications Division. For other 2022 issues, click the three horizontal lines icon next to the Contact logo at the top left of the document. Then click the “Editions” tab. For issues from 2000-2021, see Intranet page MyDWP/.