Glendale residents exceed water-saving goal

Glendale residents have saved 2.3 billion gallons of water since the city adopted stricter conservation standards last year in the face of one of California’s worst droughts.

Michael De Ghetto, assistant general manager of Glendale Water & Power, told the utility’s commission on Monday that customers went beyond expectations that were mandated at the state level.

The state’s Water Control Board ordered all local utilities throughout California to cut back on consumption and set Glendale’s goal at 20%.

Cumulatively, the city achieved a 21% reduction, De Ghetto said.

“The drought of 2015 was unprecedented and Glendale responded,” he told commissioners.

Looking at most recent statistics, residents managed to save 23.5% in May.

The state also lowered the conservation goal for Glendale to 18% for several reasons, including a greater allocation generated by the State Water Project.

Also, the Metropolitan Water District, from which Glendale buys some of its water, has been able to fill its reservoirs for the first time in four years.

De Ghetto said Glendale was also able to lower its mandated goal because it was able to self-certify that it would be able to supply its residents with water for the next three years.

Due to the success with conservation efforts, the City Council last month voted to revert from its phase three mandatory conservation level – which restricted lawn watering to twice a week – back to phase two. So, for the time being, residents can water their lawns again three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

In October, the utility will also be rescinding a drought charge it had put in place last year to stabilize the flow of revenue for upkeep of the water-delivery system.

De Ghetto said he’s certain keeping the charge in place during the summer months will be enough to cover costs.

“We think there will be more sales in the summer,” he said. “We should be able to shift from it in the winter and then come out even.”

While watering lawns is back to three times a week, there are still required conservation restrictions that all residents should continue to follow, De Ghetto said.

For example, watering when it rains is prohibited as well as watering sooner than 48 hours after a rainfall, he said.

In addition, watering sidewalks is also not allowed.