The Harvest-Monrovia Water and Sewer Authority issued a voluntary water conservation advisory due to high water consumption, primarily from lawn watering. The advisory asks residents to reduce water usage to prevent the water supply from decreasing further. The advisory, issued on Wednesday, emphasizes voluntary conservation in hopes of avoiding mandatory restrictions.
Currently, the authority is operating under a four-level conservation plan and is at level two. This level allows for controlled lawn watering but only on specific days. Homes with even-numbered addresses can water their lawns on Mondays and Wednesdays, while odd-numbered addresses are allowed to do so on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No outdoor watering is permitted from Friday to Sunday.
Should the voluntary measures fail, the authority may move to level three, which would require mandatory water reductions. Officials hope that the current voluntary efforts will prevent the need for more stringent measures.
Some residents believe that water leaks in the community are contributing to the low water levels. Robert Friend, a concerned neighbor, pointed out that multiple units in his area have standing water in front of their homes due to leaks, which he fears could worsen if not addressed promptly.
Friend expressed frustration with the situation, noting that he had contacted the water authority about the issue but had not yet seen a resolution. He suggested that if the authority is facing a manpower shortage, hiring contractors could help. The leak in his neighborhood has been a problem since July 11, 2024.