Billy Beane Is One Of The Biggest Water Wasters In The Bay Area

You may have heard that there is a pretty serious drought in California. Starting this summer, water restrictions went into effect across the state. For customers of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (East Bay MUD), the restrictions include only being allowed to water your lawn twice a week (and not between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and no washing down of driveways. Restaurants can only serve water to customers upon request.

As annoying as they may be, the water restrictions are working. East Bay MUD says it’s on track to achieve its goal of a 20 percent water-use reduction. Some people, however, don’t take seriously their responsibilities as a member of a community in a drought, and are flouting the statewide effort to reduce water. Of East Bay MUD’s 1.3 million customers, the third worst offender is none other than Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that Beane used an average of 5,996 gallons per day this summer, 24 times the district average. Beane’s usage was well over the 1,000 gallons a day mark that triggers fines, but at roughly $10 a day for the amount of water Beane used, they weren’t particularly punitive.

The Mercury News asked Beane about the matter, and he gave a weasely response:

Beane said he has tried to reduce his water use this year, but added that he has a large landscaped yard. “I certainly pay for it,” he said.

That’s a piss poor excuse. We know that you have a large yard, Billy—you live in Danville—but that doesn’t give you a pass on your community responsibilities. Here, take a look at the Alameda County Master Gardeners’ page on drought-resistant plants and get some of those in your yard. Or better yet, I hear rock gardens are back in style.

Photo via Getty

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