(KTLA) — Some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities are accused of using too much water while the rest of Southern California tries to conserve amid a drought emergency. But water resources officials say only the stars aren’t using more than their fair share – thousands of people are being warned about using too much water.
They are some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, and Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. They are also apparently some of the biggest water damages in the Hidden Hills neighborhood of Calabasas.
Officials in the Las Virgens municipal water district say the stars, some of whom are not even homes, are among some 1,600 customers who have lost their monthly water at least four times since the agency declared a drought emergency last December. 150% of the budget has been exceeded.
Now water officials say they can install a device that will limit their water use to their properties.
“They are in line to have a flow restriction device on their water meters to measure how much water they can continue to use,” said Michael McNutt of the Las Virgens Municipal Water District.
McNutt says the device will cause indoor faucets to turn out and outdoor sprinklers to stop flowing freely.
He explains that the only surefire way to avoid getting a flow restriction device is to contact the water district and sign a commitment form that you will work with the district to get into compliance. If you don’t, you will be put on a flow restriction device for two weeks straight.
“If once it’s removed, they continue to exceed 150% of their water budget, it’s put back in place for at least a month,” McNutt said.
Violators will also face some very expensive fines for each violation.
Representatives for Stallone and retired NBA star Dwayne Wade say they are taking measures to reduce their water use. Officials in Las Virgens say all the stars who have been out in public are taking some necessary steps.
“The great thing about celebrities is that they’re all working with us to get where they need to be,” McNutt said.
District officials say people need to do away with thirsty lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant landscaping and install drip irrigation, which sends water straight to the root to help save things like trees.
In the meantime, water officials say they would love to work with high-profile people to demonstrate how to create a more drought-tolerant California.
McNutt said, “What I would love to do for them is contact me and work with me to deliver a public service message, not only about what they’re going through, but how people can be like them.” And be part of the solution,” McNutt said. ,
Water officials say they have installed about 50 of them flow restriction devices in various homes. McNutt says none of those homes belong to celebrities because they’re all collaborating to reduce their water use.