Kim Kardashian and celebrity neighbors, including Sylvester Stallone, have been cautioned for repeatedly violating water restrictions at their homes in drought-stricken California, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
Strict water restrictions — imposed as the western United States suffers its 23rd straight year from drought worsened by human-caused climate change — are in place across much of Southern California, including the affluent neighborhoods of Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
But more than 2,000 residents of the two glittering enclaves north of Los Angeles, known for their sprawling green lawns and massive swimming pools, continue to push the boundaries, often in staggering numbers.
Famed reality stars Kim and Kourtney Kardashian were among repeat offenders in June, the newspaper reported, citing notices received via a Public Records Act request.
A Hidden Hills home and adjacent property owned by a trust linked to Kim Kardashian exceeded her water supply for the month by a total of 232,000 gallons (1.05 million liters), while her sister Kourtney’s property in nearby Calabasas has around 100,000 gallons was too much.
“Rocky” star Stallone’s $18 million Hidden Hills property exceeded its June limits by 230,000 gallons, or 533 percent, after being 195,000 gallons over the limit the previous month, it said.
Repeat offenders are initially fined hundreds of dollars, but homeowners who still persist can physically reduce their supplies to a trickle.
Water authorities in the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, which covers Calabasas and Hidden Hills, have already installed metal flow restrictors on the main shut-off valves of about 20 properties, the newspaper reported.
A rep for the Kardashians did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
Stallone’s attorney told the Times that his report “could mischaracterize and misrepresent the situation on a property with around 500 mature trees,” and said his clients “proactively” installed a drip irrigation system and allowed certain lawns to die.
Others named in the newspaper’s investigation were comedian Kevin Hart and former NBA basketball star Dwyane Wade.
Famous for its rows of palm trees, Los Angeles is also traditionally known for its lush, green lawns, often maintained with automatic sprinklers.
Residents are increasingly replacing their thirsty lawns with plants native to this desert region, and Las Virgenes spokesman Mike McNutt said he hoped celebrities could set a positive example.
“People listen to you, people look at you, people appreciate what you do,” he said.
“We need you to step on the plate, be a role model and be a leader for other people to follow.”
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