The Long Beach Water Department (LBWD) released its water conservation numbers for September, and results show the city has exceeded the 16 percent state water conservation mandate for the fourth month in a row, using about 19 percent less water than September 2013, at 4,445 acre-feet of water.
“Long Beach has surpassed the statewide mandate for the fourth month in a row, and that shows our city is making lifestyle changes in the way we use water,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “It’s important that we continue conserving in the hot months and in the upcoming wet winter months ahead of us.”
In August, the city used just 4,645 acre-feet of water, which was the lowest for that month since 1955, and 17.7 percent less than the amount of water used in August 2014. The city similarly experienced about 19 percent less water use in June and July 2015, when compared to the same months in 2013.
A release issued by the Water Department noted that the average temperature for Long Beach this past September was 88 degrees, about seven degrees warmer than the 10-year average of 81 degrees for the month.
“As the 2015 water year ends, it is important to continue implementing the proven practices in conservation adopted by the Water Department, which have yielded solid results,” said Frank Martinez, president of the Board of Water Commissioners in a statement. “The upcoming winter months could bring much needed rain; however, we also recognize that it is not going to end the drought.”
For those looking to further drop their water usage, the LBWD encourages the installation of high-efficiency toilets, offering $200 in rebates to single-family residences who install such a device in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District. Residents are also encouraged to “take the pledge” and calculate their water usage on Long Beach Water’s MissionH2OLB website.