The Long Beach Water Department broke its third low-water-use record in a row in the month of September, the lowest since 1965, the agency announced this week.
The city used about 5,100 acre-feet of water last month, which is 19 percent lower than its historical 10-year average (1998-2007) for the month of September. Long Beach’s July and August water use was the lowest since 1958.
“Despite the unusually warm temperatures this past month, Long Beach continues to be a leader in water conservation,” said Harry Saltzgaver, president of the Board of Water Commissioners. “We don’t know what this winter’s rainfall will bring the city, and we need to keep conserving as much water as we can today to keep reserves for the possibility of dry months ahead.”
Last September’s average temperature was 74 degrees Fahrenheit, while this September’s average temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The long-term average is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Long Beach’s total per-capita water consumption is now 111 gallons per day, the same as it was in 1946. However, when considering only residential water use, Long Beach residents are now using 78.5 gallons per person per day.
Senate Bill X7-7, also known as the Water Conservation Act of 2009, mandated that urban water suppliers reduce their per-capita water use by 20 percent by Dec. 31, 2020. These latest results now put Long Beach in full compliance with its 2020 goal, six years ahead of schedule.
“Long Beach residents continue to amaze us,” said Kevin Wattier, general manager of the Long Beach Water Department. “The city can continuously call on our residents and business owners to conserve when needed, which puts us ahead of the game.”
Source: LB Water Dept.
