Santa Monica : Water Cutbacks at 24%
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In the first month of water rationing residents surpassed the city’s goal by 4%, cutting back 24% compared to last year, city officials said.
Santa Monica’s mandatory rationing program is among the strictest in the state. It began in April and requires a 20% cutback from 1990 levels. Los Angeles required a 10% cutback from 1986 levels in April and 15% on May 1.
In March, Santa Monica residents cut back 26% from 1990 levels. The city also has established a threshold level at which residents are exempt from further cutbacks. That level is 221 gallons a day for single-family homes, and 135 gallons a day per unit in multifamily buildings.
City officials said a survey conducted last month indicated that 40% of all single-family households are at or below the threshold level.
However, about 200 customers have filed applications to use more water than allocated. A four-member board of city officials will review each application.
If residents exceed their limits, they will be fined $4 per billing unit (748 gallons) for the first occurrence.
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