Engineers Say Santa Monica Could Cut Water Usage by 6.4%

The demand for water in Santa Monica could be reduced by a million gallons per day, or 6.4%, by the year 2000 through increased conservation, according to a water management plan report approved Tuesday by the City Council.

The report, based on a study prepared by Brown and Caldwell Consulting Engineers of Pasadena, said the city could reduce its average daily demand for water from 15 million to 14 million gallons per day. To do so, it would have to require, among other things, that new buildings install low-water-use dishwashers, clothes washers and 1.5 gallons-per-flush toilets. The building code now requires 3.5-gallons-per-flush toilets, along with 3-gallons-per-minute shower heads.

It also suggested the that city hire a full-time administrator to educate the public on saving water and energy.

Santa Monica’s water conservation program now includes metering all city water usage, investigating potential water leaks and reducing the amount of water used to clean streets and sewers. The city Water Division also offers low-flow shower heads free to residents.