July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

City Pushes to Decrease Water Dependency:

Having the largest body of water in one’s own backyard is not a license to incessantly go to the well and take as much of the life-sustaining liquid as humanly possible.

In hopes of becoming fully independent from outside sources by 2020, the Santa Monica City Council directed staff at its March 8 meeting to figure out how the City of Santa Monica can efficiently change the way it uses and acquires water, as well as how it compares to other municipalities in regard to water usage.

Currently, the City’s water dependence on outside sources is 28 percent. Through the study session, the council seeks to develop a plan to bring that 28 percent water dependence figure down to zero percent by the end of the decade.

Among the ideas discussed for optimal uses and self-sufficiency of water were placing cisterns in parks, rainwater capturing options, and recyclable water resources. Staff will also evaluate what options exist to pursue public and private projects.

Staff will look into the use of cisterns in parks per a recommendation by Council member Bobby Shriver. “A man in a four-acre site has been able to run his entire facility off the grid for an entire year based on water collected in a cistern and we build an eight-acre park and don’t put a cistern in, it’s going to look kind of funny,” Shriver said, referring to a Tree People facility which has figured out a way to collect and recycle rain water to avoid importing water from another source. The park Shriver referenced is the Civic Center park, which is almost through the design phase.

Council member Kevin McKeown said the City and its residents need to be more cognizant of water usage and become more responsible and vigilant in water conservation, especially in light of Santa Monica having its own supply.

“L.A. has subsumed cities like Encino and many other communities in Southern California because L.A. had water. The reason we are an independent city is that we had and have our own water supply,” McKeown stated. “We have an opportunity tonight to look at it in a different way: perhaps the glass is neither half full nor half empty, perhaps the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

“A big part of whatever we are going to do here is going to be a shift in our perception of what it means to use water, and some much more thoughtful planning as to how we do use the water that we have.”

McKeown added water conservation and responsibility should be everyone’s priority.

“This is not a matter just for those of us who make policy or those of us who lay pipes. This is a matter for everybody,” McKeown stated.

While both Shriver and McKeown spoke of increased conservation and responsibility, the City had already substantially moved itself closer to water self sustainability when it opened the Santa Monica Water Treatment Plant on Dec. 4, 2010.

The issue or how much water is used in the city was discussed at length, it was pointed out that Long Beach, for example, uses about 100 gallons of water per person per day, while Los Angeles usage is at near 125 gallons per person per day. Despite differences in city sizes and per capita measurements, there was a question and concern of how much water Santa Monica uses on a daily basis in comparison to the region’s two largest cities, but some unofficial estimates place it as high as 145 gallons per person per day.

The Council did not formally vote on taking any action on water sustainability; instead it just made a formal staff direction to gather more information.

Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis was not in attendance at the March 8 meeting.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...