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Last week we were reminded of how destructive a heat wave can be. Temperature records were broken across the board. Wildfires raged for days. Our infrastructure struggled to keep up. It was so hot, in fact, that birds were falling from the trees.
Now, in preparation for more summer heat, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has installed seven temporary water fountains around L.A., reports KPCC. The fountains are attached to fire hydrants, from which they take the water. The water passes through a hose and a filtration system before it is dispensed.
The fountains are placed in areas where there is a higher homeless concentration. As noted by KPCC, many homeless depend on city parks and missions for water during hot days, but these resources shut down in the evening. The water fountains, then, provide around-the-clock access to water. A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Garcetti told KPCC that the city didn't incur any costs for the fountains; the city had already owned the fountains, and they had been installed by city workers during regular hours.
According to Curbed L.A., Skid Row activist "General Jeff" said that two of those water fountains have been installed in Skid Row near San Julian Park and Gladys Park. On his Instagram, General Jeff was very effusive about the water fountains and the people who were responsible for them.
I spoke with the #DWP personnel while he worked...His name is Sergio...He was very friendly and cordial....I asked him who made this happen....His reply- "The Mayor". PROPS to #MayorGarcetti for listening to our cries for help and acting quickly
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Actually, we need these YEAR-ROUND because there is a tremendous amount of people who are severely dehydrated and undernourished in Skid Row
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I watched for a while afterward as our community members INSTANTLY began drinking from the water fountain....I love it when our thoughts take life and the people benefit!
