In Worst Drought, US West Dries Up... Hollywood Stars Waste '870 Tons' Excessively

Lake Mead Water Level Hits Lowest Since 1937
Strict Measures Including Tap Water Usage Restrictions
Kardashian Exceeded Water Use by 870 Tons in One Month
Stallone Used Over 6 Times Allowed Water Quota

Billionaire model Kim Kardashian used 870 tons of water in excess during the month of June.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] As strict regulations such as restrictions on tap water usage are being implemented in the western United States to address severe water shortages caused by extreme drought, some Hollywood stars have been criticized for violating water usage restrictions and wasting water.

The southwestern region is currently suffering from a severe drought. According to the Associated Press on the 7th (local time), Lake Mead, the largest artificial lake in the U.S., recorded its lowest water level ever due to the extreme drought, revealing human corpses previously submerged. This is the fourth human body found since May. Last month, a World War II-era landing craft also surfaced above the water.

On the 4th (local time), the water level of Lake Mead, spanning Nevada and Arizona in the western United States, dropped, causing the lakebed to dry up and crack. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lake Mead supplies water to seven western U.S. states including Arizona, Nevada, and California, serving as a lifeline for the agricultural areas of the southwestern United States. However, due to an unprecedented drought, the water level of Lake Mead has dropped to the lowest level since it began filling in 1937. The water level, which was 1,200 feet (365.76 m) 22 years ago, has now fallen to 1,042 feet (317.60 m).

As the water level of Lake Mead drops, some states are even implementing water cut-off measures. According to the Associated Press on the 16th (local time), the U.S. government plans to announce water cut-off measures for two southwestern states, Nevada and Arizona, as well as northern Mexico.

On the 4th (local time), as the water level of Lake Mead, spanning Nevada and Arizona in the western United States, dropped, a World War II landing craft submerged in the lake was discovered.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Last year, when the water level of Lake Mead dropped to a dangerous level, the U.S. government declared a water shortage and already reduced water supply. With this year’s water level dropping further, there are plans to reduce next year’s water allocations even more. Arizona will lose 21% of its annual water supply allocation next year, and Nevada will lose 8%.

Kevin Wheeler, a professor at Oxford University, said, "It is clear that water supply must be reduced until the drought completely ends," adding, "If the situation worsens, stronger measures will have to be taken."

Given these circumstances, the western U.S., including California, is implementing strong measures to address water shortages. These include limiting tap water usage and reducing lawn watering to twice a week, with violations subject to fines up to $600 (approximately 840,000 KRW). In Los Angeles, a "water police" force has even been established to patrol neighborhoods and ensure residents comply with water-saving guidelines.

Amid ongoing efforts to overcome water shortages, it has been revealed that famous Hollywood stars have violated water usage restrictions, drawing criticism. On the 23rd (local time), the Los Angeles Times reported that well-known Hollywood stars such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Sylvester Stallone, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Hart have been wasting water despite official restrictions.

According to the report, about 2,000 residents in affluent northern Los Angeles neighborhoods such as Calabasas and Hidden Hills are ignoring water usage regulations.

Model Kim Kardashian, who was listed for the first time this year on Forbes’ billionaire ranking, used 870 tons of water in excess during June alone. This amount is 200 times the monthly water usage of a four-person household in Seoul. Her sister Kourtney Kardashian also used over 370 tons more water than allowed.

Former action star Sylvester Stallone was found to have used more than six times his water allowance. His lawyer explained, "There are over 500 trees on my property," and added, "We are actively cooperating with the city’s water-saving campaign, and the lawn at the house is almost dried out."

In addition to them, comedian Kevin Hart and former NBA player Dwyane Wade were also identified as "water-wasting celebrities." The city authorities stated that they may forcibly implement water-saving measures on wealthy habitual violators like these.