Following three consecutive years of drought, the Marina del Rey Water System, one of the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts (District), is receiving 15 percent less water from suppliers, requiring customers to cut down on water use or face surcharges.
This urgent measure comes on the heels of Governor Schwarzenegger declaring a state of emergency due to drought in February and an April decision by Southern California’s largest wholesale water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District, to implement mandatory water restrictions. As a buyer in Metropolitan’s supply chain, the District will be forced to pass surcharges for excessive water use onto its customers.
The cutbacks will require customers to use 85 percent or less of the District-wide average amount of water used during 2004-2006 or face surcharges. Surcharges will be twice the normal rate for water use up to 15 percent over the average, and three times the normal rate for water used beyond that. Residents already using less than the average will see no change to their water bills. The cutbacks were outlined to each customer in a letter sent in June.
“These new conservation measures should alert the Marina that now is the time to evaluate their water use and begin implementing conservation measures,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “By making simple changes to daily operations, businesses can significantly reduce water use while also avoiding the surcharges.”
The new water-use restrictions are augmenting significant strides already taken by the District to reduce waste, including an existing voluntary water conservation campaign that reduced overall water usage in the summer of 2008 compared to the summer of 2007, as well as a recently launched rebate program for water-saving devices.
Customers can cut water use by making a few simple changes and taking advantage of rebates for water saving hardware and appliances. The rebate program and a free onsite survey program to evaluate water use and make recommendations to increase efficiency offered to Districts customers will help businesses and residents progress toward the Governor’s goal of a 20 percent reduction in water consumption by 2020.
Tips include:
• Sign up for a free onsite water use survey to determine where your business can increase water use efficiency and save on water costs.
• Restaurants should serve water to customers only upon request. Table top signs have been provided to restaurants to alert customers to this policy.
• Use an automatic hose nozzle outdoors, especially for washing off boats.
• Install water-saving hardware. Building and property managers can retrofit and take advantage of rebates up to $150 for high efficiency toilets and clothes washers and waterless urinals.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks, walkways and driveways.
• Request that maintenance staff water landscaping only two days per week between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
“Many customers already understand the need to conserve, so the new restrictions and water use awareness will give them the extra motivation to take action and start reducing water waste,” said Melinda Barrett, Water Conservation Manager with the District. “Our objective is to help everyone in the Marina save both water and money, two things that are very important to us all.”
The District provides water to residents and businesses in Marina del Rey through the Marina del Rey Water System. Make every drop count in this drought. Visit www.LACWaterworks.org for more details on reducing water use by 15 percent, rebate information and water-saving tips.
