Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

California's New Website Lets You Tattle On Water Wasters

water_wasting_toddler.jpg
You can file a complaint against this toddler (Photo by FamVeld via Shutterstock)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.


Droughtshaming isn't going away any time soon. California has launched a website that allows you to tattle on any water wasters you encounter. The new site, SaveWater, went live on Thursday, according to CBS LA. It allows users to anonymously submit reports and photos of water wasting. This can include people who are watering lawns when they're not supposed to, leaky sprinklers and people hosing down sidewalks or driveways. There also a couple ones weird ones: if a server brings you water at a bar or restaurant that you didn't ask for, you can tell on them. You can also report hotels or motels that don't give you an option to save used towels or linens for repeated use.

Once a report is filed, the local water agency will then investigate the claim. The website states that you don't actually need to know which agency is the right one to file a report. "The website does it for you!" the site cheerily proclaims. If you're curious, you can find your local water agency here. You can find tips on conserving water here.

This new site should be a fun resource for Tony Corcoran, a local man who has uploaded over 100 video of water wasters to his YouTube channel. There's also an app that allows users to report and share water wasters. This app is not related to the new website.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today