Question
The Water Cops
Earth and Space Science Studies: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
There's a new group of police officers traveling around neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California. They're called "water cops." And they're looking for careless gardeners. The water police make sure that people don't waste water. California is struggling with a drought. Therefore, conserving water is more important than ever.
There are 15 police officers on water duty. They travel around the city's neighborhoods. Leaders believe that lawn care is responsible for nearly three-fourths of the water used by homes in Los Angeles. Therefore, officers look for people who use extra water outside.
Water is a precious commodity everywhere. That's especially true where there is a not enough of it. In June 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought. Why? The state has had little rain or snow over the past two years.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California. With so many people, the city needs a lot of water. Los Angeles used to get its water from the Los Angeles River. Now, it gets its water mainly from the Colorado River.
Shortly after Governor Schwarzenegger declared the state drought in 2008, leaders passed laws about water use. Those who waste water can be given a warning. Or they can be made to pay fines. These fines show up on water bills. They start at $100. The water officers want to inform people about the importance of saving water.
"They're in fact [teachers] …to the [people]," said H. David Nahai. He is in charge of the water police.
Getting people to follow water conservation rules is still difficult. Many people in Los Angeles want to keep up their beautiful green lawns and blooming gardens. Alonzo Ballengar is an officer with the Department of Water and Power. He says that some people do not want to conserve water. Ballengar says some of the people he accuses of water waste turn out to be hired gardeners. The homeowners want the lawn to be watered each day. Ballenger also came across an unusual case. A woman was draining and refilling her pool every three days.
Sometimes, people try to help the water police. One man reported four of his water-wasting neighbors every week. A group of conservationists started policing their own neighborhoods.
Ballengar says that no one is above the law. On a recent afternoon, Ballengar drove to the community where Governor Schwarzenegger lives. Ballengar stopped for a moment in front of the governor's mansion. He looked through the iron gate. He was searching for any sign of water waste in the garden.
"Nothing," he said.
Information for this story came from AP.
Question 2
2 / 8
What is the main idea of this article?
Los Angeles used to get its water from the Los Angeles River.
Los Angeles police are making sure that people do not waste water.
Some homeowners in California water their lawns and gardens every day.
The governor of California declared a statewide drought in 2008.
Earth and Space Science Studies: Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
There's a new group of police officers traveling around neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California. They're called "water cops." And they're looking for careless gardeners. The water police make sure that people don't waste water. California is struggling with a drought. Therefore, conserving water is more important than ever.
There are 15 police officers on water duty. They travel around the city's neighborhoods. Leaders believe that lawn care is responsible for nearly three-fourths of the water used by homes in Los Angeles. Therefore, officers look for people who use extra water outside.
Water is a precious commodity everywhere. That's especially true where there is a not enough of it. In June 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought. Why? The state has had little rain or snow over the past two years.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California. With so many people, the city needs a lot of water. Los Angeles used to get its water from the Los Angeles River. Now, it gets its water mainly from the Colorado River.
Shortly after Governor Schwarzenegger declared the state drought in 2008, leaders passed laws about water use. Those who waste water can be given a warning. Or they can be made to pay fines. These fines show up on water bills. They start at $100. The water officers want to inform people about the importance of saving water.
"They're in fact [teachers] …to the [people]," said H. David Nahai. He is in charge of the water police.
Getting people to follow water conservation rules is still difficult. Many people in Los Angeles want to keep up their beautiful green lawns and blooming gardens. Alonzo Ballengar is an officer with the Department of Water and Power. He says that some people do not want to conserve water. Ballengar says some of the people he accuses of water waste turn out to be hired gardeners. The homeowners want the lawn to be watered each day. Ballenger also came across an unusual case. A woman was draining and refilling her pool every three days.
Sometimes, people try to help the water police. One man reported four of his water-wasting neighbors every week. A group of conservationists started policing their own neighborhoods.
Ballengar says that no one is above the law. On a recent afternoon, Ballengar drove to the community where Governor Schwarzenegger lives. Ballengar stopped for a moment in front of the governor's mansion. He looked through the iron gate. He was searching for any sign of water waste in the garden.
"Nothing," he said.
Information for this story came from AP.
Question 2
2 / 8
What is the main idea of this article?
Los Angeles used to get its water from the Los Angeles River.
Los Angeles police are making sure that people do not waste water.
Some homeowners in California water their lawns and gardens every day.
The governor of California declared a statewide drought in 2008.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The main idea of this article is: **Los Angeles police are making sure that people do not waste water.**