[Water_news] 2. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: SUPPLY - 9/19/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment 

 

September 19, 2008

 

2. Supply –

 

 

 

Anaheim asks residents, businesses to cut back on water: The city asks residents and businesses, including large water customers such as Disneyland, to voluntary reduce water use.

The Orange County Register- 9/18/08

By ERIC CARPENTER

 

One of the county's largest cities is calling on residents and businesses to cut back on water usage in light of the statewide drought.

 

Anaheim's call for voluntary water conservation applies to the city's 54,000 residential units and 7,000 commercial customers, including major water users such as Disneyland, Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, as well as dozens of large hotels. Those customers receive water through the Anaheim Public Utilities Department.

 

The resolution is intended to motivate the public to take the need for saving water more seriously.

 

"Anaheim's outreach campaign and our enhanced conservation programs have allowed us to currently hold off on recommending greater appeals for water-use reduction," Mayor Curt Pringle said in a statement.

 

The city might consider adding a temporary "drought surcharge" to water bills if drought conditions persist, but the council would consider that later, said Mike Ebbing, spokesman for Anaheim's Public Utilities Department.

 

Anaheim officials boast about the city's record of conserving water: While Anaheim's population has increased 36 percent in 20 years, water usage has gone up just 7 percent in that time, Pringle said.

 

Some of the larger water users, such as Disneyland, are already taking conservation measures.

 

Disney's California Adventure, for instance, has a computer-controlled sprinkler system linked to a weather station, which controls the amount of water used by sprinklers depending on weather conditions. And the 60,000 sprinklers attached to it only water at night, said Suzi Brown, a spokeswoman for Disneyland Resort.

 

The three Disney hotels offer guests who stay more than one night the option of not  laundering their towels and linens every day.

 

"Disneyland is committed to balancing environmental stewardship throughout our operations," Brown said. "We're already following all of the city's recommendations."

 

Anaheim's action is meant to underscore previous calls for conservation.

 

In June, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a statewide drought and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California issued a low-water-supply alert. Cities such as Santa Ana and Garden Grove have already issued similar voluntary resolutions.

 

Bob Muir, spokesman for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said this region relies on Northern California and the Colorado River for much of its water supply, and both of those areas have been severely impacted by the drought, which could worsen in 2009.

 

On top of that, Southern California had its driest spring on record this year, he said.

 

"So what Anaheim is doing is consistent with what our board of directors has asked cities to do, and it's the right thing to do," Muir said.

 

Anaheim water officials, in the Tuesday resolution, recommend:

 

–       Don't hose down driveways, sidewalks or other paved surfaces – except when necessary for public safety.

–        Promptly repair leaking faucets and sprinklers.

–       Don't allow water to run off from landscaped areas onto sidewalks or other pave surfaces.

–       Limit watering lawns and other landscaping to every other day or less where possible.

–       Limit or avoid watering landscaping between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

–       For hotels: offer guests staying more than one day the option of not laundering towels and linens daily.

 

More information about water conservation is available at www.anaheim.net, under the public utilities section. #

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/water-anaheim-drought-2161350-public-conservation