South Gate : Mandatory Water Saving Plan Ends; Goals Exceeded

South Gate has become the second Southeast/Long Beach area city to end mandatory water conservation because declines in water use have significantly exceeded goals set last year. According to officials, overall water consumption by residents, businesses and the city declined by 13% from May to November last year compared with the same period in 1990.

In the residential category, which was the main focus of the conservation effort, reductions ranged from 19.8% to 30.6% between July and October. Water use on city-owned properties dropped by 45% last year. South Gate set a 10% water reduction goal when the mandatory program was enacted last April.

“The residents and businesses of South Gate have been practicing excellent conservation habits,” said Mayor Gregory Slaughter after the city returned to a voluntary program on Jan. 1.

Lakewood eliminated mandatory water conservation in October after residents and businesses reduced water use by 28%. The city had started mandatory conservation in March with a savings goal of at least 10%. Jim Glancy, Lakewood water superintendent, said voluntary rationing is holding at the 22% level.

In South Gate, assistant city engineer Raymond Pang attributed the drop in water usage to conscientious residents and a successful educational campaign, which included a hot line to answer questions and sale of low-cost water saving kits. He said there are “quite a few” blatant water wasters, “but a lot more who do comply.”

Since April, the city has issued 75 citations for repeated violations of mandatory water conservation regulations. Under the voluntary program, warnings and citations will continue to be issued. Mandatory rationing will be reimposed if acceptable conservation levels are not maintained through voluntary means, officials said.