Council Approves Water Program

The San Diego City Council has approved a $13.7-million water conservation program that it is estimated will save the city more than 300,000 gallons of water a day for five years.

The program will distribute water-saving plumbing device kits, provide better response to water-waste complaints, and establish information, education, rebate and auditing programs, an official said. It is estimated that the program will save enough water each year to supply 16,000 households.

“This one is a comprehensive, integrated, long-term voluntary water conservation program,” said Marsi Steirer, a water conservation analyst for the city. Steirer said the program is unusual because, by collecting data from and following up on families that install the water-saving devices, the city will learn how San Diegans use water.

But the water savings estimated in the plan were based on 80% of the households using the water-saving devices, Steirer said. “I really think that San Diegans are willing and ready to adopt the water conservation program that the council adopted.”

The program was passed on a 6-2 vote Monday, with Mayor Maureen O’Connor and Councilman Bruce Henderson dissenting.