Drought Update
With record-breaking heat throughout much of the State in June, Californians continued to conserve water, reducing water use by 27.3 % and exceeding Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s 25% mandate in the first month that the new emergency conservation regulation was in effect.
Since reporting began, West Basin Municipal Water District has achieved a cumulative savings of 5.5%, totaling 9,879 acre-feet of water – enough to supply roughly 79,032 residents with water for a year.
Of the 12 retailers West Basin serves, 11 reported water savings for the month of June. The largest decrease in year-to-year demand came from California Water Service’s Palos Verdes peninsula with 31.8% conservation.
On average, across the service area, West Basin must demonstrate a 20% reduction in water consumption (as compared to 2013). In June, the district achieved an 18% reduction in potable water demand.
Tasked with measuring monthly progress toward the mandated reductions, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) provides regular reporting on urban water supplier data. The next update is due at the end of August. To find more information about the June report and learn what’s new, please visit the SWRCB website.
Also, to look up reduction goals and performance by zip code, check out The Los Angeles Times’ drought report card tool.
West Basin applauds community efforts to be more water-efficient and conservation minded. This fall, the district will conduct a district-wide survey to gain insight on water issue awareness and potential programs. We encourage everyone to keep saving water and make water-efficient practices a permanent way of life. For indoor and outdoor water conservation tips, please visit: http://saveourwater.com.
West Basin Hosts District-wide Town Hall Aug. 15
The West Basin Board of Directors invites district residents to learn more about the drought and how to get help dealing with it on Saturday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hollywood Park in Inglewood. Guests will learn how mandated restrictions are impacting the 
community, and how together we can save more water.
Experts from West Basin, along with water representatives from Golden State Water Company, California Water Service Company and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will give updates on drought conditions and restrictions, tips on how to find free water conservation programs and rebates, and answers to questions. The Mayor of Inglewood, James T. Butts Jr. will kick off the event and welcome attendees to the city.
RSVP today and learn more, here www.westbasin.org/townhall.
West Basin Names Legislators of the Year – Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Senator Isadore Hall
West Basin Board of Directors presented U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn (CA-44) and Calif. Sen. Isadore Hall III (CA Senate-District 35) with its 2014 Legislator of the Year award during a special board meeting on August 3. The Legislator of the Year award recognizes legislators who have helped the water industry and West Basin to provide more reliable water supplies through legislation and advocacy.
As California has continued to experience the worst drought in recorded history, West Basin and the entire water industry have been fortunate to have Congresswoman Hahn and Senator Hall as strong advocates for water issues in Southern California. Read more about the award in our announcement.
West Basin Begins Ocean Water Desalination Environmental Impact Report
West Basin’s Board of Directors took action and voted in May to begin an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as part of its research to build a full-scale ocean water desalination facility in the South Bay. By initiating the EIR, West Basin will evaluate all environmental impacts associated with building and operating a 20 million 
gallon per day (MGD) and a 60 MGD ocean water desalination facility. In September, West Basin will hold meetings and begin seeking public comment to incorporate into the EIR.
Since 2002, West Basin has been researching all aspects of ocean water desalination with a focus on protecting marine life and minimizing costs through reduced energy and chemical consumption. As Southern California faces rising demands and a shrinking water supply, augmenting imported water with local, drought-proof supplies is becoming increasingly important. In addition to investigating ocean water desalination, water recycling, groundwater desalting and water conservation, are a key part of West Basin’s water reliability program to diversify local water supplies.
Recycled Water Customer Spotlight – City of Redondo Beach
The City of Redondo Beach has been a West Basin recycled water customer since its first connection in 1997 at Dominguez Park (pictured). Today, they continue to be a strong West Basin partner and advocate for recycled water.
Using recycled water helps free up our precious drinking water and reduce our dependency on imported water supplies during this record drought. In addition to Redondo Beach’s use of recycled water at Aviation Park and on landscaped medians, the City is eager to connect additional parks to recycled water for irrigation and to further expand their use of recycled water.
West Basin continues to investigate opportunities to provide recycled water to more customers in our service area. We thank our recycled water customers for their commitment to the environment, sustainable water and to our water reliability program. For more information on West Basin’s recycled water program, please visit www.westbasin.org/water-reliability-2020.
“Doing Business with West Basin” – Learn How on Sept. 2
As part of West Basin’s commitment to supplier diversity, the district is pleased host a free event on September 2, 2015 in Carson, where small and local businesses can learn how to better do business with West Basin. Attendees will also connect with industry leaders at public agencies, prime contractor and consulting firms. The district is looking for small business suppliers in the areas of civil and environmental engineering, operations, building trades and more.
Get the details and RSVP by August 21st.
Accepting School Water Tour Reservation Requests
West Basin offers free, water education school field trips for 3rd-12th grades. The program includes tours of West Basin’s water recycling facility in El Segundo and Water Education Center in Redondo Beach. Field trip lessons support the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards and can include water science experiments, a water cycle treasure hunt, water education exhibit investigations and the exploration of an operating water factory. These free, water recycling and ocean water desalination field trips include complimentary school bus transportation for public and private schools located in West Basin’s service area. For further program details, school eligibility and reservation request forms, visit West Basin’s education webpage.
Field trip reservation request forms will be accepted starting on Monday, August 24, 2015.
West Basin Pilots Greywater Workshop
Responding to recent demand by citizens, cities and water retailers for easy and convenient water conservation strategies, West Basin piloted a greywater workshop at its Carson headquarters in June. Greywater expert Laura Allen, an innovator in low-tech urban and sustainable water solutions, introduced a class of 40 to the benefits of affordable Laundry to Landscape (L2L) water systems that do not require city or county permits. The workshop illustrated how home L2L systems can play a critical role in 
drought resilience given ease of installation and maintenance.
Participants received information about common system types, design considerations, plumbing code, estimated efficiency and installation process. West Basin and the City of Torrance will host a second workshop on Aug. 25. Space is limited. Register here.
Water 101 – Increase Your H20 I.Q.
The first and second Thursday of every other month, West Basin hosts Water 101, a free class that provides a global, national and local look on current and future water issues. Participants learn where their water comes from, about water quality and future water reliability.
Classes are held at the West Basin building in Carson and at the water recycling facility in El Segundo. Classes begin at 7:00 p.m. and last 1.5 hours. A light, complimentary dinner is provided at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required.
El Segundo classes include a night tour of the water recycling facility. Flat, closed-toe shoes are mandatory for tour. Carson classes include a video tour of the water recycling facility. Class is recommended for individuals 18 years or older.
To RSVP, email info@westbasin.org or leave a message on our tour hotline at (310) 660-6243.
Upcoming Classes:
- West Basin Municipal Water District, Donald L. Dear Building, Carson:
- August 13
- October 8
- December 10
- Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, El Segundo:
- October 1
- December 3
West Basin to Host Drought Forum for Elected Officials
The West Basin Board of Directors is pleased to host a first-ever water issues and drought forum for the district’s elected officials on Friday, October 9, 2015 in Culver City.
This invitation-only event will help prepare service area officials to navigate their cities through the drought toward a more reliable water future.
Visit www.westbasin.org/droughtforum.
Water Harvest – Free Family Festival Oct. 24
West Basin’s free festival for the community to learn about water is just around the corner!
Enjoy entertaining and educational stage shows, learn how you can reduce your water footprint at many community booths and go on a tour of the innovative Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility. This family-friendly event includes a kids’ costume contest, carnival games and prizes, pony rides, free food and a grand prize giveaway for service area residents. Last year we gave away a clothes washer and dryer!
The 17th annual event will celebrate 20 years of West Basin’s recycled water production and water conservation efforts. View a video of the festival and visit westbasin.org/waterharvest for more details coming soon.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility
1935 S. Hughes Way, El Segundo, CA 90245
Newest Ocean Friendly Garden – Gardena’s Rowley Park
West Basin Directors Donald L. Dear and Gloria D. Gray joined officials from the City of Gardena and community partners from Golden State Water Company and Surfrider Foundation during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 29 to unveil West Basin’s newest Ocean Friendly Garden at Rowley Park in Gardena.
The 2,094-square-foot sustainable garden features drought-tolerant plants that thrive in dry climates and will conserve up to 80 percent of drinking water during this drought. The project also showcases drought-tolerant techniques that encourage residents to implement into their own landscapes at home. Learn more about the garden program.
Pictured from left to right: Beth Crosse, Ocean Friendly Garden Program Chair, Surfrider Foundation; Dan Medina, Councilman, Gardena City Council; Donald L. Dear, Director, West Basin Municipal Water District; Gloria D. Gray, Board President, West Basin Municipal Water District; Tasha Cerda, Councilwoman, Gardena City Council; Steven Bradford, Former Assemblymember, 62nd District of California; and Rachel Johnson, Councilwoman Emeritus, Gardena City Council
