Drinking Water

Department of Water & Power

Metropolitan Water District

California Department of Health Services

Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division-Water Quality in California

U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division - Drinking Water Initiative

Water Conservation  Earth is covered approximately 75% in water.  Interestingly, the human body is made up of approximately 75% water.   Water is an essential and important part of our lives at both the planetary and human scale.   We rely on it not only for our survival but also everyday needs of bathing, washing, and gardening.  Life without this precious resource is unimaginable. Of all the Earth’s water, only 3% is fresh water. The remaining 97% is salt water.  This means that the world’s drinking water is a valuable and limited resource.  In a semi-arid climate like Los Angeles, local groundwater provides only minimal amounts of drinking water.   In fact, 87% of Los Angeles’s water is imported from the Colorado River and Owens Valley.  In 2000, the 3.8 million Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers used 220 billion gallons of water, of which 191 billion gallons was imported. 

Looking at these numbers, it is easy to see why water conservation is an important goal.  LADWP is doing its part by looking into sustainable management practices that will recharge water into our local aquifers. This will ease the need for so much imported water and the City of Los Angeles would have a buffer during drought years.  For more water supply information go to www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp004087.asp.  Angelenos can do their part by following simple water conservation steps at their homes.

Simple Conservation Steps Did you know that landscaping accounts for about half the water Californians use at home, while showers account for another 18%, and toilets use about 20%.  We need to use water wisely and efficiently in order to maximize its potential for our selves, our homes, and our city.

How can you do your part to reduce water use?  Doing simple things like turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth or shaving will save 3 gallons of water a day.  That adds up to over 1000 gallons a month per person!  Wondering how much water you can save with other simple tips?  Here’s a quick list to start saving water:

• Check pipes, faucets, and toilets for leaks; a small drip can waste more than 1500 gallons a month.

• Every dishwasher load uses about 15 gallons of water and a washing machine uses up to 60 gallons per load to clean your clothes, so try to run both with full loads only.

• Replace you toilet with an ultra-low flow flushing toilet and you will save not only water but also money.  The LADWP offers rebates of $75 to $100 for approved ultra-low flow flushing toilets.

• Water your yard in the morning or evening to avoid the strong heat of the sun that accelerates evaporation.  Reducing sprinkler use during the rainy season is also a simple water saver.  Consider using native and drought-tolerant plants in your garden to reduce outdoor water consumption.

• Using a pool cover could save 1,000 gallons a month in evaporated water.

There are many ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle our precious natural resources such as water.  To find out more information contact the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at www.ladwp.com or the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at www.mwd.dst.ca.us/mwdh2o/index02.html.

Water Quality Maintaining a safe water supply is of great concern to the City of Los Angeles. Water sources are tested regularly by a crew of field and laboratory personnel who sample and test the water every day of the year, including weekends and holidays.  In fact, LADWP collects more samples than required by law to ensure high water quality.  To get more information or check out frequently asked questions about water quality go to http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp000442.jsp.  For information on California water issues go to the State Water Resources Board website at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/. Another great source of statewide water information is the Association of California Water Agencies website at www.acwanet.com/mediazone/waterfacts/.

Water History The history of the City of Los Angeles is intertwined with the history of water in the area.  The needs of a growing city meant that Los Angeles would require a greater water supply.  Since there was not sufficient local groundwater to supply the expanding city, other water sources needed to be identified.  In 1913 William Mulholland, chief engineer and general manager of the city-owned Bureau of Water Works and Supply (now the Water System of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), brought drinking water from the Owens Valley to the thirsty young city.  Another aqueduct was completed in 1970.  Together, the two aqueducts deliver 430 million gallons a day to the City of Los Angeles.  To learn more about William Mulholland and the early water history of Los Angeles, go to http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp000506.jsp, or to http://web.ladwp.com/~wsoweb/Aqueduct/historyoflaa/index.htm for information on the aqueduct history.