Long Beach water use in July significantly below historical 10-year average

From the Long Beach Water Department, this press release:

Today, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners announced that the City of Long Beach continues to consume water at a rate well below the city’s historical 10-year average (FY ’98 to FY ’07). During the month of July, which saw no rainfall, and which was notably warmer than July ‘08, citywide water use was 15.3% below average. For the current fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2008, Long Beach water consumption is 16.5% below the historical average. Total water use for July ‘09 was 1% higher than July ’08, breaking an amazing string of 14 consecutive record-setting months of low water use for the city. Despite higher temperatures and no precipitation, July was extremely close to setting another record for low water use.

Kevin L. Wattier, General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department, continues to stress that water conservation is here to stay. “We are dealing with a permanent, structural water supply deficit in our region,” stated Mr. Wattier. “This is not a short-term problem that will just go away on its own. Our objective must continue to be a long-term, sustained effort toward permanently reducing the amount of water that we use on a daily basis. Every city in southern California should implement mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water, and make those prohibitions permanent.”

Meanwhile, the City of Long Beach continues to be a great example of how citywide water conservation can be achieved both effectively and inexpensively. It has been almost two years since the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage. Since that time, citywide water use has dropped sharply. Just as important is that the Water Department has been able to promote this increased conservation at a very low cost. “It is a great testament to the determination and resolve of Long Beach citizens, that while other regions are in the beginning stages of implementing programs aimed at reducing water use, for the last twenty-two months Long Beach residents have enthusiastically answered the call to conserve water here in our city,” stated John Allen, President of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. “And we are still going strong,” said Commissioner Allen.

On September 13, 2007, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage and activated the City’s Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan. As a result, the Board of Water Commissioners issued mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. The Board’s Declaration in 2007 was necessitated by the profound impact of permanent reductions to imported water deliveries into southern California; the dramatic reductions in water storage levels in key reservoirs in northern California; and other climate realities.

Long Beach Water is an urban, Southern California retail water supply agency, and the standard in water conservation and environmental stewardship.

Note: The 10-year historical average is from Fiscal Year FY 98 – FY 07, which are the 10 years prior to the imposition of new water-use restrictions. The 5-year historical average is from FY 03 – FY 07, which are the 5 years prior to the imposition of new water-use restrictions.

Month of July
10-yr High: 7,050 (FY 00)
Historical 10-yr Avg: 6,750
Historical 5-yr Avg: 6,700
10-yr Low: 6,500 (FY 05)
July FY 08: 5,700
July FY 09: 5,750

Of Note:
– July FY 09 is 15.3% below Historical 10-year average
– July FY 09 is 14.2% below Historical 5-year average
– July FY 09 is 1.0% above July FY 08

July YTD (Year-to-Date)
10-yr High: 57,150 (FY 04)
Historical 10-yr Avg: 55,000
Historical 5-yr Avg: 54,850
10-yr Low: 53,150 (FY 98)
YTD July FY 08: 50,700
YTD July FY 09: 45,950

Of Note:
– July FY 09 YTD is 16.5% below Historical 10-year average
– July FY 09 YTD is 16.2% below Historical 5-year average
– July FY 09 YTD is 9.4% below July FY 08 YTD

July FY 09 to July FY 08 Comparison
Demand
July FY 08: 5,700
July FY 09: 5,750

Precipitation:
Normal*: 0.02 inches
July FY 08: 0.00 inches
July FY 09: 0.00 inches

Temperature:
Normal*: 73.8 degrees
July FY 08: 72.1 degrees
July FY 09: 73.6 degrees
* Normal period 1971 to 2000 (as defined by National Weather Service)

Of Note:
– Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows that precipitation for July 2009 appears to be negligible, as is normal for the month. While the mean temperature for July 2009 appears to be only 0.2 degrees below normal, it appears to be 1.5 degrees higher than July 2008. The average daily maximum temperature for July 2009 appears to be 3.1 degrees higher than July 2008.

Running 12-month Total
Historical 12-month Average: 68,128
Recent 12 months: 57,079
Recent 12-month Conservation: 16.2%

Matthew Veeh
Acting Director
Government & Public Affairs

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