Santa Monica has been selected to serve on a new Blue Ribbon Commission for onsite non-potable water systems. The new commission is an effort of the U.S. Water Alliance and the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation.
Santa Monica is the smallest city with representation on the commission.
“It is a great honor to be selected to represent the city on this most distinguished, forward-thinking panel of water experts, and for the City to be in a national position to provide input on watershed management, specifically sustainable use of local water resources,” said new commissioner Neal Shapiro Senior Sustainability Analyst and Watershed Management Program Coordinator, Office of Sustainability & the Environment. “As the smallest city on the commission, we look forward to sharing what is possible when you embrace sustainable building design and engineering strategies and practices,” Shapiro said.
The City of Santa Monica is part of the Commission due to its leadership role in promoting rainwater and storm-water collection systems for direct uses, such as irrigation and indoor flushing, City staff said.
Examples include large storage tanks at the Main Library 200,000 gallons, the Pico Library 12,000 gallons, Los Amigos Park 50,000 gallons, and Marine Park 30,000 gallons.
The City also has a Sustainable Water Master Plan to become self-sufficient on local water resources by 2020.
