Los Angeles, the second largest US metropolis, will impose water rationing to cope with the worsening drought conditions, authorities said on Wednesday.
Moves to modify water rates were being considered by the Los Angeles City Council in a bid to encourage Angelenos to conserve water, according to the Department of Water and Power (DWP).
In addition to the persistent drought, water rationing will be imposed as a result of the 2007 federal court decision that limited the volume that water agencies could receive from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the DWP said.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and DWP General Manager David Nahai announced their intention to ration water in February. The new rates have already been approved by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners but still require City Council approval.
If approved, the new rates would take effect on June 1, marking the first time the city will ration water.
The plan calls for Angelenos to cut their water usage by 15 percent. Residents who conserve water are not expected to see any changes on their bill, but customers who do not cut back on their usage will pay significantly more.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state-wide drought last summer.