Officials for Glendale Water & Power (GWP) today urged local residents and business people to continue conserving water and decrease water consumption. The statement followed Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Executive Order declaring a drought throughout California.

GWP General Manager Glenn Steiger says southern California is experiencing a "perfect storm" with respect to water supplies. "We are having one of the driest spring seasons on record, runoff from the Sierra Nevada snow pack is significantly below normal, and environmental problems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are restricting our ability to transport water south," says Steiger. "We need to get serious about conserving water; water conservation must become a way of life for Glendale."

Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Board of Directors issued a Water Supply Alert yesterday and are urging cities and water agencies to accelerate public outreach and messaging and enforce drought ordinances. Glendale and surrounding cities have been urging citizens since last July to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 10%. The water supply alert will mean residents will need to do more to conserve if they are to avoid mandatory water rationing later this year.

One immediate action customers can take to help conserve water is to check their sprinklers regularly to ensure they are working properly. Sixty percent of a household's water usage is for landscaping. Most residential and commercial sprinklers are on automatic timers that come on early in the morning or late at night. Steiger says customers over time may take it for granted that these systems are working properly even when they are not. Customers are urged to take a few moments to check to see if their sprinklers are in good repair and watering the landscape and not the sidewalks.

"By checking our sprinklers regularly, we can all do our part to save water and lessen the likelihood of mandatory water rationing," says Steiger. "We can also be good neighbors by reporting problems with other systems in our communities." Steiger urged residents to report broken sprinklers and water wasters to Glendale Water & Power at: 818-548-3300.

Some additional water saving tips for customers:

• Ask your local restaurant to only serve water to customers that ask for it
• Don't hose down driveways and sidewalks, use a broom instead, and advise your gardeners to follow these policies as well
• Use low-flow showerheads and cut showers by two minutes
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving
• Are your sprinklers coming on between 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.? If so, this is in violation of our City ordinance and watering schedules should be changed immediately.
• Step on your grass, if it springs back, there is no need to water today

More tips can be found on GWP's Web site at: www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com

GWP is watching water supplies carefully. If the situation worsens, GWP and the City Council may be asked to consider Phase II of Glendale's Water Conservation plan which would call for a mandatory reduction of water usage for businesses and households.

GWP also has residential and small business programs where customers can receive free energy and water surveys and have program surveyors install free water saving devices such as low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators at their business and residence. Customers are encouraged to call GWP (818) 548-3300 and inquire about the Smart Home Energy and Water Survey Program and the Smart Business Energy Saving Upgrade program.