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Sustainable City Progress Report
Resource Conservation
Water Use
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Citywide Water Usage
2000-2009 |
Percentage: Local Vs Imported Water
1990-2009 |
Water Use by Sector
as Percentage of Total Usage 2009 |
INDICATOR
Citywide Water Use, Percent Local vs. Imported & Potable vs. Non-potable
DESCRIPTION
Sustainable water consumption means using water no more quickly than the rate at which it is restored. As a city, Santa Monica could be completely sustainable if it were able to supply all of its water needs from local well sources indefinitely. Reducing water consumption per capita and increasing the percentage of water that comes from local sources are two important steps toward sustainability.
In order to measure progress towards the stated goals, this indicator looks at total citywide water use, the percent of water that is local versus the percent imported from distant watersheds in California and the Western United States. Finally, it examines the amount of water that is potable versus non-potable.
The target for consumption is to reduce overall water use by 20% of 2000 levels by 2010. In 2000, water use was 13.4 million gallons per day (MGD); a twenty percent reduction of that usage is 10.7 MGD. The city aims to increase the amount of locally obtained potable water to its 1995 high point of 70% of total water use by the year 2010. The city is also working to maximize non-potable water use when appropriate.
PERFORMANCE
SUMMARY
Citywide
Water Consumption
This year continued a three year drop
in water use in the city, continuing
year over year reductions in all months of the year. The drop was from 12.6 to 11.9 million
gallons per day. That represents a water usage drop of 5%.
Meeting the Indicator goal to reduce overall water use by to 20% of the 2000
baseline (to 10.5 MGD) by 2010 continues to be a challenge, given continued
development and increasing daytime population. Still this consistent drop
during all seasons of the year shows that the city’s water conservation efforts
are paying off.
Local vs. Imported Water
The percentage of local vs. imported water rose between 2008 and 2009 from
14% to 20% of total water supply. It is expected that this level will
remain at about this level until completion of the remediation of the city’s
wells expected at the end of calendar year 2010. See Analysis below.
Potable Water Use
Santa Monica Urban Runoff & Recycling Facility (SMURRF) produces
non-potable water for use in landscape irrigation, at city parks and
cemeteries, toilet flushing and in some city fountains. Sales of recycled water
from the SMURRF remained relatively steady at 35 million gallons for all of
2009, nearly 1% of water use. For residents and businesses to take further
advantage of this reclaimed water requires more infrastructure than is
currently in place. HIGHLIGHTS
- The
average American uses 168 gallons of water per day. The average
person in Santa Monica uses 120 gallons of water per day.
- The
City of Santa Monica operates its own water utility. Of the 12.6
million gallons used per day, approximately 27% is consumed by
single-family units, 45% by multi-family units, and 28% by commercial
users.
ANALYSIS
Citywide
Water Use
In 2009, Metropolitan Water District
(MWD) approved a water rate increase and a shortage allocation plan in response
to water supply challenges resulting from consecutive critically dry years, as
well as restrictions on State Water Project deliveries due to endangered
species protection, approving a regional shortage level of 10%. The plan
results in a defined allocation of water to Santa Monica. To
maintain the level of reductions, in June, 2009, the city launched its Watch
the Water campaign in June and water use continues to decline citywide.
Numerous conservation messages and programs are helping to keep customers
informed of water conservation efforts and the need to continue water saving
practices. In addition, enforcement of the Water Conservation Ordinance has
increased, with first time offenders being provided information about the
advisory and compliance tips in both English and Spanish. For more information
visit www.smgov.net/water.
Local vs. Imported Water
In 1995, Santa Monica’s local groundwater wells supplied most of the water
used in the city. The city now produces only 20% of its water supply from
groundwater wells and imports the remaining 80% from MWD. This change
occurred in 1996, when groundwater well production became contaminated due to
infiltration of the fuel additive MTBE. This contamination has forced the City
to increase dependence upon imported MWD water until groundwater remediation
efforts are complete and the new Charnock treatment plant is operational,
expected by the end of calendar year 2010. This will allow the city to
substitute more cost effective, locally produced water thereby reducing the
expense and energy use associated with imported water.
STATUS
Fair
TREND
Improving
WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE?
Ensure intra city compliance with water regulations, while enforcing regulations for water conservation in irrigation of residences and businesses. Check the OSE website's Water section for tips on water conservation.
DATA SOURCES
View source material in Excel: RC2_WaterUse.xls
Email contact for data source inquires: andrew.basmajian@smgov.net
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Last updated: Monday, 09/13/2010
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