Water Efficiency for Residents of Santa Monica Presentation

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Water-Efficiencyfor Residents of Santa Monica

Luis Suarez Water ProgramsSustainable Works

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Santa Monica’s Water Supply

Depleting reservoir levels

86% of water is imported

Traveling 400 miles

Metropolitan Water District (86%)Private Water Agency

City-OwnedGroundwater Wells (12%)

SMURRF (2%)Recycles Urban Runoff

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Dry conditions =extreme fire

danger

Loss of crops

Rural and urbaneconomic loss

Next year: uncertain supplies

State Water Supply Challenges

Decreasing Sierra Snow Pack

2008 Court Decisions

• ~30% Water reduction due to decreasing Salmon and Delta Smelt in Bay- Delta

•L.A. Aqueduct Reductions

Drought

Population increasing in Southern California

CA 3rd year of drought

Colorado River 10th year of drought

Drought In Western U.S.Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

It will take more than one extremely wet winter for storage levels to recover

- The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)

2005 2009

Excessive Urban

Runoff

Excessive Water Waste

Increasing WaterDemand

Contamination of Santa Monica’s Groundwater Wells

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Water Supply Problems

Some Santa Monica City wells will not be usable for another 1 to 2 years – City of S.M. Office of Sustainability

and Environment

Excessive energy and

greenhouse gases to

import water

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Water + Energy = Watergy

20% of California's energy is required to transport our water

- California Energy Commission

Average Multi Family

building uses 745 gallons/day~60 gallons/day

per unit

Average Single Family

uses 420 gallons/day

~200 gallons/day

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Current Daily Water Use

Our Goals:

Keep within ourallocated amount especially during the summer months

Eliminate water waste

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Water Shortage Response Plan

Santa Monica CityCouncil declared anAdvisory Level effective July 1,

2009

The City of Santa Monica is

requesting that all water customers

voluntarily reduce water use by 10%

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Stage 1 – 15% Reduction

Stage 2 – 20% Reduction

Stage 3 – 30% Reduction

Stage 4 – 50% Reduction

Advisory– 10% ReductionIn Effect

City-Wide Water Reduction Goals

*Avg. multi family unit

water use = ~60 hcf/year

Stages 1- 4 requiremandatory

rationing through waterallowances

(budgets)

Penalties would be charged on the

excess water used

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Stage 1–48 hcf/year/unit (98 gallons/day) + outdoor water allowance

Stage 2–48 hcf/year/unit (98 gallons/day) + outdoor water allowance

Stage 3–37 hcf/year/unit (76 gallons/day) + outdoor water allowance

Stage 4–37 hcf/year/unit ( 76 gallons/day) + outdoor water allowance

Multi-Family Water Supply Allowance

*Avg. single family water

use = ~203 hcf/year

Stages 1- 4 require mandatory

rationing through waterallowances

(budgets).

Penalties would be charged on the

excess water used

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Stage 1– 132 hcf/year (271 gallons/day) + outdoor water use allowance

Stage 2– 132 hcf/year (271 gallons/day) + outdoor water use allowance

Stage 3– 98 hcf/year (201 gallons/day)+ outdoor water use allowance

Stage 4– 98 hcf/year (201 gallons/day) + outdoor water use allowance

Single-Family Water Supply Allowance

1 hcf = 748 gallons

98 gallons/day

Variances

There will be an appeals

process for customers

that either need more

water due to incorrect

assumptions need to use

or more than their allowance

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Penalties & Variances

1-4 hcf = $4.00 / excess hcf

5-10 hcf = $16.00 /excess hcf

11-16 hcf = $32.00 /excess hcf

17+ hcf = $40.00/ excess hcf, plus other restrictions if applicable

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

RestroomsKitchenLandscaping

Resident Solutions

Upgrade showerheads to 1..5 gal/ min

Keep showers to less than 10 minutes

Upgrade toiletsfrom 1.6 gal/flush or

greaterto 1.28 gal/flush or less

ordual flush

Don’t use toilet as a trashcan

Install low-flow aerators of

2.5 gal/min or less

Turn off water when brushing

teeth or shaving

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Bathroom

Check with the City of Santa Monica for possible rebates or free products

Showerhead

Tank Type

Faucet with aerator

Faucet

High-Efficient Showerhead

High-Efficiency Toilet

Kitchen

When hand washing dishes, fill

sink, don’t leave water running

Operate dishwasher onlywhen completely loaded

Install low-flow aerators of

2.5 gal/min for kitchens

Fix leaky faucets

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

It takes 8 glasses of water to wash 1 glass. – City of S.M. Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Adjust sprinklers to prevent runoff

Install drip irrigation – retrofit existing sprinklers to drip

Set controller start time between 4 am - 5 am

Upgrade to a weather based "Smart" irrigation controller

Install a rain barrel or redirect downspouts to landscaping

Direct gardeners to the City’s free Landscape & Irrigation training

Rebates may be available

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping uses 40% of a property’s total water use.– City of S.M. Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Landscaping

Reduce lawn to climate appropriate plants

Take car to a carwash

Install rotating nozzles on all sprinkler spray heads

To reduce evaporation, apply mulch

Report to your property manager any irrigation overspray or runoff  Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks

Always send wastewater to landscaping or the sewer not the storm drain

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping

Reduce water use 80% and reduce maintenance 40%, by installing water efficient irrigation and climate

appropriate plants

Reduce lawn to climate appropriate plants

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping

Reduce water use 80% and reduce maintenance 40%, by installing water efficient irrigation and climate

appropriate plants

BEFOBEFORERE

Reduce lawn to climate appropriate plants

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping

Reduce water use 80% and reduce maintenance 40%, by installing water efficient irrigation and climate

appropriate plants

AFTEAFTERR

Reduce lawn to climate appropriate plants

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping

Reduce water use 80% and reduce maintenance 40%, by installing water efficient irrigation and climate

appropriate plants

BEFOBEFORERE

Reduce lawn to climate appropriate plants

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Landscaping

Reduce water use 80% and reduce maintenance 40%, by installing water efficient irrigation and climate

appropriate plants

AFTEAFTERR

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

Resources

For Free Business Greening Consultation:

Sustainable Works Business Greening Program(310) 458-8716 ext. 2 (310) 434-3668 FAX

For Qualified Rebate Products:Save A Buck Rebate Program1-877-728-2282www.mwdsaveabuck.comwww.bewaterwise.com

For Landscape Grant and Landscape Information:

Bay Saver Program1-866-728-3229www.sustainablesme.org/landscape

For more information

about the watershortage andconservation tips,www.water.smgov.net

Introduction Resident SolutionsConclusion

City of Santa Monica Resources

Water Resources Protection Programs: (310) 458-8235 www.smgov.net/epwm/utilities

Urban Runoff/Water Conservation: (310) 458-2213 www.smepd.org

Household Hazardous Waste Facility: (310) 458-2255

To report pollution - Pollution Prevention Hotline: (310) 458-8945

Food Service Container Ban: (310) 458-4925 www.smepd.org/container

Clean Bay Restaurant Certification: (310) 458-8235

Keep Saving Santa

Monica’sWater!

Introduction Restaurant SolutionsConclusion

Water Is a Limited Resource