Water Officials: Turn Sprinklers Off During Storm

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Water officials reminded residents Thursday to turn off their sprinklers to save water during the large storm expected to soak Southern California this weekend.

A Pacific storm is expected to bring up to eight inches of rain to California, but water officials say it won't be enough to end the state's protracted drought.

"We're still in a deep drought, and the rains provide a great opportunity to conserve water that we can use later," said Marty Adams, deputy assistant general manager of the water system for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

According to the DWP, 40 to 60 percent of the city's drinking water is used outdoors for irrigation, and each resident using about 89 gallons a day. Turning off sprinklers during a storm will lead to a major water savings, Adams said.

"Please shut them off, and leave them off until the ground dries – at least five to 10 days after a storm," Adams said. "There's nothing more wasteful than running sprinklers during or after it rains, and there's no easier way to save water and money than to shut your sprinklers off."