Dream Schools

LAUSD is taking smart steps to save water.

Today a guest post from Susie Santilena, a member of Heal the Bay’s Science and Policy department:

I graduated from Middle College High School in Los Angeles Unified School District nearly a decade ago, and I’ve had nightmares about returning ever since. In one vivid scene, I come back and end up taking a pop quiz I didn’t study for. Or there’s the one where after years of thinking I graduated, I find out I’m missing a single credit that prevents me from getting my diploma and nullifies all of the college degrees I’ve received since.

After being haunted by these crazy visions, who knew that my work as a Water Quality Engineer at Heal the Bay would bring me back to LAUSD this month? Or that my return would have such a dreamy ending?

On Dec. 14, I testified at an LAUSD School Board meeting on behalf of Heal the Bay in support of a resolution that is sure to save the district a lot of water and a ton of money. That’s great news for all of us.

100 by 2020

Percentage-based water reduction goals won't cut it

California’s growing water scarcity problems continue to wreak havoc in the agricultural and urban sectors.  When talk moves to water conservation, the focus is predominantly on the urban sector and it is tied to percentage use reductions.  Gov. Schwarzenegger has mandated a 20% reduction in urban water used by 2020.  Mayor Villaraigosa called for a voluntary 10% reduction in Los Angeles water use this spring and summer, and Angelenos have exceeded the modest goal by nearly 3%. The prohibition on watering landscaping five days a week has been a major contributor to the nearly 13% reduction in water use.

Despite these incremental moves in the right direction to get us to live within our water supply means, nothing short of a bold goal is needed to really move California.

Do As I Say…

Left to right: H. David Nahai, City of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

H. David Nahai, the general manager and CEO of Los Angeles’ DWP mega-utility, has been taking a lot of heat of late. What was his transgression that made the news, blog and talk radio circuit light up? His family, ensconced in a 6,000-square foot home, is a water waster. Big time.  To the tune of more than 1,000 gallons a day, according to a recent home audit.

And Al Gore has a big carbon footprint because he travels around the world shouting about the perils of climate change to all that are willing to listen. Yes, we want our leaders to lead by examples. But often they don’t, just proving they are human. Was I surprised by the audit? Yes. Does it make me think he’s failed us? No.

The Dry Facts

On June 4, 2008, CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a statewide drought and issued an Executive Order directing immediate state action to deal with the crisis.

Late last year, I joined about 70 other environmental leaders at a Green LA meeting, where many members practically begged Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to declare a drought. The logic being that L.A.’s DWP couldn’t implement a progressive water policy unless the mayor made a big, public declaration.

Fast forward to late spring, when the mayor and DWP general manager & CEO H. David Nahai surprised us all with a bold water plan that moves the city away from imported water and towards self sufficiency. Their message was simple: the drought is over. Gone are boom-and-bust perspectives of water use. Central and Southern California live in a new paradigm of permanent water scarcity due to climate change, shrinking Sierra snow pack, and reduced water allocations from the Colorado River, Eastern Sierras and the Sacramento River.