By Brian Hews
August water usage reports show that Cerritos, with a mandated water conservation cut of 28%, exceeded that number by 1.7%, saving 29.7% over 2013 water usage numbers while La Palma residents saved 6.7% over their conservation standard of 20%.
Norwalk residents once again failed to attain their goal of 20%, saving only 18.8% over 2013 numbers. La Mirada residents failed also, missing their mark by 4.3%, as did Bellflower, who missed by 1%.
Across California, water use dropped by nearly 27 percent during August, down from the 31.4 percent drop in July but still ahead of Gov. Jerry Brown’s mandate for 25 percent reduction from 2013 totals.
Individual cities and water agencies were all given specific conservation targets based on past water usage.
“Millions of Californians stepped up to save water this summer and we must all keep up the good work because no one knows how much longer this historic drought will continue,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the state Water Resources Control Board. “With continued heat, the danger of more wildfires, and no way of knowing when the drought will end, every drop of water that remains in our local reservoirs and aquifers is insurance in case of another dry year or more.”
Cities that do not meet water-conservation goals can face stiff financial penalties. Beverly Hills residents cut use by 17.5 percent, well short of the 32 percent mandate set by the state. In La Verne, residents cut by 28.7 percent, but the state mandate for that city is 32 percent. Glendora, Arcadia, Tustin, Pasadena, San Juan Capistrano, and Brea and were among the cities that fell short of their conservation targets.
Penalties for non-compliance have increased from 1,786 in May to 29,500 in July.
Not all of Cerritos is using Cerritos water district, some are plumbed in to city of La Palma water districts, as substantially higher rates and tier profiling.