LVAA e-Alert (February 18, 2013)
Temporary Water Shortage Emergency and Energy Efficiency Scam Alert
The Linda Vista~Annandale Association would like to share with you the following:
The Pasadena City Council has declared that the City will face a Level 4 Water Shortage Emergency during the temporary, eight-day shutdown of a major regional water pipeline, scheduled for February 21-28.
The measure, approved by the Council, authorizes the City to enforce a total ban on outdoor watering (with very few exceptions) until pipeline deliveries resume.
Similar to a pipeline shutdown in 2011, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) will stop all water deliveries to Pasadena and neighboring cities in order to perform vital system repairs and upgrades at its Eagle Rock Tower in Eagle Rock and at its Weymouth Treatment Plant in La Verne. Over these eight days, Pasadena must rely solely on its groundwater and reserves -- and water conservation. MWD normally supplies about 60 percent of Pasadena's water needs.
Outdoor Watering Restrictions:
Pursuant to PMC 13.10, the following water use restrictions will be enforced during the eight-day shutdown, in addition to all permanent water conversation requirements:
How You Can Prepare:
Prior to the MWD pipeline shutdown, PWP will fill its 18 reservoirs with about 80 million gallons of local groundwater and water imported from MWD. Although normal consumption during this period is about 22 million gallons per day, local groundwater wells only produce a maximum of 12 million gallons per day, making heightened conservation during the shutdown critical, particularly outdoors.
"We have no other feasible source to fill that gap in our water supply. If there are delays in the repairs, or should we lose one of our wells due to a mechanical or electrical issue, we could be in real trouble," according to Shan Kwan, PWP Assistant General Manager of Water. "The only solution to avoid running out of water is to curb demand and be self-sustaining, which means a temporary ban on outdoor watering, our city's greatest use of water."
"Our horticultural consultants advise that most established plants and lawns can hold up well without water for eight days, and much longer in this cooler weather," said Nancy Long, PWP Water Conservation Manager. "We are telling our customers to consider rescheduling any new landscaping plans, since plants that aren't yet established are much more vulnerable."
"During the 2011 water shortage emergency, our customers exceeded all expectations and helped us cut back water use by more than 30 percent. We believe they will rally this time again," stated Phyllis Currie, PWP General Manager. "We've already reached out to our large customers, and we are mailing a city-wide notice to help everyone get ready well in advance," she said.
More information on the watering ban, pointers for how to prepare, and daily updates during the shutdown can be found at http://www.pwpweb.com/shutdown, on Facebook (Pasadena Water and Power), and on Twitter (@PWPNews). Please note that the shutdown could continue longer due to construction delays.
Additional information will be posted on the City's homepage at http://www.cityofpasadena.net and the City's main Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/pasadenagov (@PasadenaGov).
Fines for water use violations during the shutdown will range from $100 up to $1,000. Water waste violations can be reported through the Water Shortage Hotline at (626) 744-8888.
Customer Alert! Energy Efficiency Scam
Pasadena Water and Power is warning customers of a scammer posing as a PWP employee or contractor. Under the guise of promoting PWP's energy efficiency programs, the caller has phoned several customers stating that they are required to complete energy-efficiency audits and retrofit projects.
PWP does NOT require participation in its energy efficiency programs, and will NOT send out an energy auditor without customers' consent. Telephone or online surveys done by PWP will NEVER include solicitation to participate in programs, promotion of specific vendors or products, or a request for credit card or payment information.
If you have any concerns about a caller or technician at your property:
For more tips, visit http://www.PWPweb.com/FraudProtection.
Questions? Our Customer Service personnel are available during normal working hours at (626) 744-4005 to help answer any questions you may have.
The Pasadena City Council has declared that the City will face a Level 4 Water Shortage Emergency during the temporary, eight-day shutdown of a major regional water pipeline, scheduled for February 21-28.
The measure, approved by the Council, authorizes the City to enforce a total ban on outdoor watering (with very few exceptions) until pipeline deliveries resume.
Similar to a pipeline shutdown in 2011, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) will stop all water deliveries to Pasadena and neighboring cities in order to perform vital system repairs and upgrades at its Eagle Rock Tower in Eagle Rock and at its Weymouth Treatment Plant in La Verne. Over these eight days, Pasadena must rely solely on its groundwater and reserves -- and water conservation. MWD normally supplies about 60 percent of Pasadena's water needs.
Outdoor Watering Restrictions:
Pursuant to PMC 13.10, the following water use restrictions will be enforced during the eight-day shutdown, in addition to all permanent water conversation requirements:
- No outdoor landscape watering (i.e., sprinklers, smart controllers, hose, drip, or watering can -- check PMC 13.10.052.B.1 for exemptions)
- Leaks must be fixed within 24 hours
- No filling of lakes, ponds, residentials pools or spas
- No washing vehicles (except at commercial car washes)
- No new water service connections
How You Can Prepare:
- Plan ahead: reschedule or postpone landscaping and construction projects
- Mark your calendar to turn off your automatic sprinkler system on February 21
- Spread the word: tell your gardner, neighbors, friends, and co-workers about the shutdown
- Store jugs of water as back-up for indoor use and delicate plants
- If you have a large landscape to maintain, try mulching your lawn or flowerbed to help your landscape retain moisture during the shutdown
- Check for and repair indoor and/or outdoor leaks
- As always, conserve water indoors
Prior to the MWD pipeline shutdown, PWP will fill its 18 reservoirs with about 80 million gallons of local groundwater and water imported from MWD. Although normal consumption during this period is about 22 million gallons per day, local groundwater wells only produce a maximum of 12 million gallons per day, making heightened conservation during the shutdown critical, particularly outdoors.
"We have no other feasible source to fill that gap in our water supply. If there are delays in the repairs, or should we lose one of our wells due to a mechanical or electrical issue, we could be in real trouble," according to Shan Kwan, PWP Assistant General Manager of Water. "The only solution to avoid running out of water is to curb demand and be self-sustaining, which means a temporary ban on outdoor watering, our city's greatest use of water."
"Our horticultural consultants advise that most established plants and lawns can hold up well without water for eight days, and much longer in this cooler weather," said Nancy Long, PWP Water Conservation Manager. "We are telling our customers to consider rescheduling any new landscaping plans, since plants that aren't yet established are much more vulnerable."
"During the 2011 water shortage emergency, our customers exceeded all expectations and helped us cut back water use by more than 30 percent. We believe they will rally this time again," stated Phyllis Currie, PWP General Manager. "We've already reached out to our large customers, and we are mailing a city-wide notice to help everyone get ready well in advance," she said.
More information on the watering ban, pointers for how to prepare, and daily updates during the shutdown can be found at http://www.pwpweb.com/shutdown, on Facebook (Pasadena Water and Power), and on Twitter (@PWPNews). Please note that the shutdown could continue longer due to construction delays.
Additional information will be posted on the City's homepage at http://www.cityofpasadena.net and the City's main Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/pasadenagov (@PasadenaGov).
Fines for water use violations during the shutdown will range from $100 up to $1,000. Water waste violations can be reported through the Water Shortage Hotline at (626) 744-8888.
Customer Alert! Energy Efficiency Scam
Pasadena Water and Power is warning customers of a scammer posing as a PWP employee or contractor. Under the guise of promoting PWP's energy efficiency programs, the caller has phoned several customers stating that they are required to complete energy-efficiency audits and retrofit projects.
PWP does NOT require participation in its energy efficiency programs, and will NOT send out an energy auditor without customers' consent. Telephone or online surveys done by PWP will NEVER include solicitation to participate in programs, promotion of specific vendors or products, or a request for credit card or payment information.
If you have any concerns about a caller or technician at your property:
- You may request their name, ID, employer name, and a call back number
- To verify the legitimacy of the caller/technician, call PWP at (626) 744-4409
- Call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 to report suspicious or fradulent activity
For more tips, visit http://www.PWPweb.com/FraudProtection.
Questions? Our Customer Service personnel are available during normal working hours at (626) 744-4005 to help answer any questions you may have.
