LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/457513
106 Landscape Architect and Specifier News The Los Angeles area finally got some heavy rainfall toward the end of the year, and some early into the new year. However, 2012 to 2014 represented the third driest three-year stretch on record for the city. On Oct. 14, 2014, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an executive order http://tinyurl.com/m44jjp9 titled "Drought Response - Creating a Water-Wise City." The gist of the order is: • A reduction in per capita potable water use by 20 percent by 2017. • A reduction in the Department of Water and Power's purchase of imported potable water by 50 percent by 2024. • The creation of an integrated water strategy that increases local water supplies and that improves water security in the context of climate change and seismic vulnerability. Instead of continuing to rely on the expensive proposition of piping water in from distant locations, L.A. believes local water supplies can meet most of the city's water needs if water is used more efficiently. "Integrated water strategies," such as residential climate-appropriate plants, are also part of the plan. Landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of LA's residential water use. The mayor's plan offers increased rebates for residential turf removal. The Department of Water and Power, and the Bureau of Sanitation must present a plan within 90 days to convert 85 percent of public golf course acreage to recycled water by 2017, and shall determine the feasibility of converting 100 percent of golf course acreage to 100 percent nonpotable water. Irrigation with potable water for all city buildings and street medians will be restricted to no more than two days per week, although drip irrigation "may be made exempt from this watering days restriction." The Department of Recreation and Parks, which has reduced its potable water consumption by 30 percent since 2007, is irrigating only as much as necessary to maintain tree and plant health, while reducing its potable water consumption by 10 percent for the new fiscal year. L.A. is also looking to rainwater harvesting and stormwater capture, as a one-inch rain in the county generates more than 10 billion gallons in runoff, most of which flows out to sea, carrying with it mountains of trash. Roof gardens, vegetated swales in parking lots, permeable hardscapes and other green infrastructure are all part of the plan. If the mandatory and voluntary actions do not reduce water consumption by 10 percent by July 1, 2015, by 15 percent by January 1, 2016, and by 20 percent by January 1, 2017, the mayor will instruct the board of Water and Power Commissioners to propose new mandatory water restrictions. I n f o r m a t i o n R e q u e s t # 6 9 7 Landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of Los Angeles' residential water use, according to L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti's "Emergency Drought Response - Creating a Water Wise City" (an executive directive). Garcetti's water plan includes water-wise landscapes and rebates for residential turf removal. Making L.A. a Water-Wise City