American socialite Kim Kardashian and her celebrity neighbors, including Sylvester Stallone, have received warnings for repeatedly violating water restrictions at their homes in drought-stricken California.
Rigorous water restrictions have been put in place across large sections of southern California, including the affluent communities of Calabasas and Hidden Hills, as the western United States experiences its 23rd consecutive year of drought, made worse by human-caused climate change.
However, more than 2,000 residents of the two communities, north of Los Angeles, continue to exceed the restrictions, frequently by eye-watering amounts.
These communities are known for their sprawling green lawns and enormous swimming pools.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, her sister Kourtney Kardashian and other well-known reality stars, were among the repeat offenders in June, based on notices obtained through a Public Records Act request.
While her sister Kourtney’s property in nearby Calabasas was about 100,000 gallons over its water allotment for the month, a Hidden Hills home and adjacent lot owned by a trust connected to Kim Kardashian exceeded their water allotment by a combined 232,000 gallons (1.05 million liters).
Sylvester Stallone’s $18 million Hidden Hills property went over its June limits by 230,000 gallons, or 533 percent, after going over the limit by 195,000 gallons the month before.
At a property with about 500 mature trees, Stallone’s attorney notified the Times that its article “could mischaracterize and misrepresent the situation,” adding that his clients had “proactively” installed a drip irrigation system and allowed some lawns to wither.
Dwyane Wade, a former NBA basketball player, and comedian Kevin Hart were also named as violators in the newspaper’s investigation.
Repeat offenders face hundreds of dollars in fines at first, but wealthy homeowners who are still unconvinced may eventually see their supplies physically reduced to a trickle.
Los Angeles is well-known for its rows of palm trees, but it is also renowned for its lush, green lawns, which are frequently cared for with automatic sprinklers.
Residents are swapping out their thirsty lawns for desert-adapted plants in increasing numbers, and Las Virgenes spokesman Mike McNutt expressed his hope that celebrities could serve as role models.
