Covering about 70% of the earth’s surface, the oceans are a highly productive system which continuously recycles chemicals, nutrients and water through the "hydrological cycle", which powers climate and weather, and which regulates global temperature by acting as a giant heat reservoir from the sun. The benefits from oceans and seas granted to humans have been underestimated, and are vulnerable because of the degree of pollution, degradation and overexploitation, which can ultimately threaten coastal communities, like Huntington Beach, their economy and society in general.
Foremost, care, management and use of oceans and seas and their natural resources is a common responsibility, demandingthe maximum effort from all countries in order for it to be achieved sustainably.
Water is essential to Huntington Beach’s and all of California’s quality of life. Unfortunately, California’s water system is in a crisis. For the first time in the state’s history, the water supply and delivery system may not be able to meet our growing needs. The City of Huntington Beach is actively working on a water conservation program.
Water ConservationThe water conservation program is voluntary and we are asking all households to reduce water by not washing down walks and driveways, by not leaving their hoses running while washing their car, and by not having run-off, over spray, or mid-day watering of their landscape. Shorter showers, washing only full loads of dishes and full loads of clothes can dramatically reduce water consumption. Leaking faucets and toilets should be promptly repaired.
Your water bill shows usage in units of 100 cubic feet of water. An average household in Huntington Beach uses 12 units per one-month reading period. To convert this to gallons, multiply by 748. This will give you approximately the number of gallons you used during that reading period. If you divide the number of days in the reading period (approximately 30 days) you will have the number of gallons you use per day. For example, if your bill indicates you used 15 units of water and the reading period is 30 days, you would multiply 15 units times 748 gallons for a total usage of 11,220 gallons. If you divide this by the 30 days in the reading period, your average daily usage is 374 gallons. If you need additional information, call (714) 536-5921 during our regular telephone hour's 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, and a representative from the Water Division will assist you.
Examples of City Water Conservation
Landscaping
- Central Park - all irrigation served by non-potable water from our own well.
- Sports Complex, Green and Pattinson Parks are equipped with digital controllers and moisture sensing devices that sense the ground moisture, so that irrigation is delivered only as needed.
- As older equipment is replaced, we are using the same type system. Water
- Agency recognized as leader for outstanding efforts to reduce electricity use during times of critical demand. Run pumping off peak.
- Constructed dual-fuel capabilities at reservoir booster stations that allow the flexibility to participate in Demand Bidding Programs with SCE that lowers the City’s cost of operation and allows the switch from electric driven equipment to natural gas/propane driven equipment.
- Installed Variable frequency drives at two large water well locations that have saved an est. 12% in electrical usage.
- We participate in SCE’s “savings by design programs” and have been awarded rebates for our efforts.
- Continue to replace old natural gas engines with new low emission engines.
- Have installed emission control equipment on all water pumping units that are larger than 50 hp.
- We subscribe to SCE’s Energy Manager Program that allows the City access to energy usage data, consumption and “what-if” analyses to insure efficient operations for all our larger electric pumping equipment in both water and wastewater.
- Recycled Water - The Utilities Division is nearing completion of a project that will utilize colored water from one of the City's groundwater wells to irrigate Central Park. Colored water is of high quality, but because of the high color (the water resembles a weak tea) is not suitable for potable use.
- Continue efforts to replace 1960’s and 1970’s era storm water pumps and motors with current more efficient and cleaner running machinery.
- Staff continues to seek to reduce water runoff (both dry and wet weather flows) into the City drainage system that then needs to be pumped out of our drainage channels. In reducing the quantity of water, the cost and energy needed to run these pumps is reduced. During the development review process, the amount of runoff from developing sites is reduced to mitigate impacts to the storm drain system. Water Quality officers identify illegal runoff and educate businesses and the general public on how to conserve water and reduce runoff.
Water Links:
Be Water Wise
www.bewaterwise.com
California Coastal Commission
http://www.coastal.ca.gov
California State Government Department of Water Resources
http://www.water.ca.gov
California Water Association
http://www.calwaterassn.com
California’s Water Crisis
http://www.calwatercrisis.org
Orange County Watershed and Coastal Resources Division
http://www.ocwatersheds.com
[FOR KIDS]
Camp SEA Lab
http://www.campsealab.org