Water-Conservation Ordinance Opposed

An association of realtors charged that a new Los Angeles water-conservation ordinance is unworkable and would cost people selling their houses as much as $200.

The ordinance, which is scheduled to take effect Oct. 13, will require people selling their houses to hire certified inspectors because the city’s 14 inspectors--who would charge $26--would be overburdened with the average monthly sale of 3,100 homes in the city, the Los Angeles Board of Realtors said.

William Chin, president of the board, suggested at a news conference that the ordinance be amended to allow people selling their houses to “self-certify” that they have put the water-conservation devices in toilets and showers. Such an honor system is used with laws requiring smoke detectors and tempered glass on sliding doors of homes when they are sold.

“The mayor’s office seems to think that screwing on a shower head and placing a bag in a toilet tank requires a huge cadre of toilet inspectors,” Chin said.

The current Building and Safety Department personnel, Chin said, could be used to conduct spot checks after the closing of escrow to ensure the devices are not disconnected.