Water Meters Up North?

Every time Southern California talks about importing more water from the north, irate northerners start grousing about how Southlanders just want more water to fill more swimming pools and to irrigate their golf courses.

But some of the state’s biggest residential water wasters are in Central and Northern California, drawing unlimited amounts of water at a cheap flat charge without the inconvenience of a water meter. But times are changing, and Fresno and Sacramento, in particular, now are facing their versions of doomsday: the day that water meters are installed in homes.

The Fresno City Council already has voted 7-0 to hook up meters to the city’s 81,000 residences, although opponents have been seeking a new vote on the issue. And now, there is talk in Sacramento of revising the city charter, which now declares with considerable finality: “Water meters shall never be attached to residential water service pipes.” Mayor Anne Rudin contends there are better ways to save water, but Larry Lunardini, the city’s water attorney, says that matters little. This is a political issue and “you can’t make a case on anything without water meters,” he says. “It is one of these motherhood issues.” Meters also are under study in Sacramento County, where phenomenal growth is putting great pressure on the available water supply.

The actual water savings achieved through metering is in dispute. A study for Sacramento County estimated conservation of 15% to 20%. Officials claim that much of the water used outdoors returns to the underground aquifiers and thus gets used again. With installation of meters over 15 years at a cost of up to $135 million, the cost of the water saved would be as high as $287 an acre-foot. This is considerably more than county water utilities pay for their water now, but just about the same as the wholesale rate the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California charges its member agencies.

Does metering actually save much water? Yes, according to figures from the state Department of Water Resources. Per capita water use in both Los Angeles and San Diego is 190 gallons a day. In Fresno, it is 290 gallons and Sacramento, 300. Even granting Sacramento and Fresno some cushion for those hot summer days, usage is greater there. In Redding, the hot spot of the Sacramento Valley, the average metered use is 240 gallons.

Sacramento might save some water just by charging a reasonable price for it. The flat residential fee now is $7.61 a month compared with Los Angeles’ $21, scheduled to go to $22.51 under a pending rate increase.

Metering might stop a special problem in Fresno. Its acquifier is contaminated by pesticides and officials believe that conservation achieved through metering will stabilize the aquifier and prevent the spread of the chemicals.

All Californians must seek every possible means to conserve water. One method is by charging prices that more accurately reflect the value of water. But even that is impossible if water use is not even measured. Beyond that, northerners should check their own water habits before accusing others of being wasteful.