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'Drought Busters' Issue 763 Citations In L.A.

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Jan 6, 2009 2:00 pm US/Pacific

'Drought Busters' Issue 763 Citations In L.A.

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― The green thumbs who keep Los Angeles lawns lush and flora flourishing in the city have found a new foe among the aphids, white flies and other yard pests -- the Drought Busters.

Just as some scofflaws keep an eye out for black-and-white patrol cars, gardeners have learned to spot the white Toyota Priuses driven by Los Angeles water cops out to fight waste as California struggles with an extended drought.

Fifteen officers now prowl neighborhoods and respond to thousands of tips in their search for those who use sprinklers between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., clean driveways with water instead of a broom or otherwise waste the precious commodity.

Officials estimate landscaping accounts for as much as 70 percent of household water bills.

Offenders can be cited with a warning or hit with fines that start at $100 for homeowners and automatically appear on water bills.

Thus far, 763 citations have been issued. The program has received more than 4,000 tips from residents about wasted water and responded to at least 800 of them.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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