The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica Saturday held an informative forum on the drought and the responses happening at all levels. We were there to live tweet it.
The forum, moderated by League member Frank Gruber and hosted by League President Ann Williams, featured three speakers whose expertise ranged from state water policy, regional water management, and local sustainability policy.
On the panel was Roberta Borgonovo, the co-program director for water for the League of Women Voters of California. She is an expert on water conservation issues and protection of the Bay-Delta Estuary.
Also on the panel, representing the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), was Luis Cetina, principal government and regional affairs representative in the Legislative Services Section of the External Affairs Group at MWD of Southern California.
Tom Fleming, with the city of Santa Monica’s Sustainable Works, was also on hand to talk about how the drought is impacting Santa Monica and what we can do about it.
Below are some highlights from Saturday’s event. All our tweets from the event are tagged #drought. Enjoy!
Already too many dams, says Borgonovo. We need to reduce reliance on dams and surface reservoirs. @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Our rivers are already overallocated. We think the way to go is in conservation and recycling. @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
About half of all urban use is for landscaping. But urban use is 20% and ag. is 80% of state #water use. -Borgonovo @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Since 1980 population has risen significantly, but water use has stayed flat relatively flat. @mwdh2o @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
First anti-housing comment from the audience. "Move somewhere else." @mwdh2o @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Borgonovo responded to another question about population growth from the audience.
Water conservation: Density is more energy efficient. It's more water efficient. Land use planning has to be forefront, say Brgonovo @LWVSM
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Tom Fleming from Sustainable Works gives a breakdown of residential water use in the city.
7,513 single-family homes = 24% of water. About 51,000 apartments = 43% of water. @sustainablework @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
And how, exactly, that water is used in our homes.
Primary use of water in homes is toilet. 26.7% of household water use. @sustainablework @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Washing machines are 21.7% of household uses, then showers (16.8%). @sustainablework @LWVSM #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
Fleming spoke about the various rebate programs Santa Monica offers for those willing to swap out their appliances.
Swap your washers for high-efficiency machines. Get up to $300 rebate. @LWVSM @sustainablework #drought
— Santa Monica Next (@SaMoNext) April 25, 2015
