Readers React: Will a $61,000 fine get Beverly Hills to change its water ways?

To the editor: Recognize that the wealthy generally do not feel obliged to adhere to social norms, so asking Beverly Hills homeowners to cut back on their use of water will not work. Even if fined — as the city was by the state last week for failing to reduce water consumption enough — they will just pay and continue using. (“Beverly Hills water wasters ‘should be ashamed,’ state regulator says,” Oct. 30)

The article quotes Marjan Zohoury, a 25-year Beverly Hills resident, as wondering what the alternative to cutting back is. Answer: storms like the one last week that dumped 18 inches of rain on parts of Texas in a single day, and more punishing droughts in California.

Bottom line: Capitalism drives consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and global climate change.

Roger Newell, San Diego

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To the editor: The article says, “Beverly Hills was one of four providers slapped with a $61,000 penalty.” That’s all the water wasters are getting: a slap on the wrist.

Unless memory fails me, wasn’t it recently discovered that the biggest water hog in the state was willingly paying about $90,000 a year to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to use as much water as that property owner wanted?

So how effective is a $61,000 “penalty” to an entire city when it’s less than what a single homeowner is already paying — but evidently isn’t enough to get him to cut back?

Gail Marie Noon, San Pedro

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