One of the most ambitious plans to be 100% water self-sufficient (Water Self-Sufficiency Plan 2020), 2012
Santa Monica, CA
HOW IT CAN BENEFIT YOU
People in Santa Monica pay more for water because a lot of it is imported. So Santa Monica created the Water Self Sufficiency Plan to increase local groundwater and recycled water, capture and use rainwater, reuse graywater, create more stringent plumbing and building codes, and reduce leaks and improve the water system.
WHY IT'S A LEADING PROGRAM
It's one of the most ambitious urban water management plans out of more than 350 Southern California cities.
GOAL
Reduce water use 20% and be 100% water self-sufficient by 2020.
WHO CAN TAKE ACTION
Businesses and residents.
OUTCOMES
As of 2014, Santa Monica surpassed its goal and almost reduced water use by 25%.
Residents and businesses are expected to save 128 million gallons each year. Each resident will reduce daily water use from 134 to 123 gallons by 2020.
Large water users include St. John’s Medical Center, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and laundry facilities. Santa Monica helps them retrofit cooling towers, faucets, toilets, plumbing fixtures, and replacing washing machines and more.
The City plans to add a 1.6 million gallon cistern starting 2016 capture storm water, treat it, then use it to flush toilets or water landscapes (instead of using potable water).
CONTACT
Dean Kubani, Manager of Office of Sustainability and the Environment, City of Santa Monica, 310-458-8703, dean.kubani@smgov.net
LAST UPDATED
September 15, 2015