Berkeley Reduces Water Use By 26 Percent

The City of Berkeley slashed water use last year by 26 percent, city officials announced Tuesday.

The water use was reduced by scaling back irrigation, fixing leaks and using more efficient water fixtures, officials said.

The city is recommending similar actions for businesses and residents, and officials said the reduced water usage not only helps Berkeley comply with California Governor Jerry Brown’s water reduction mandates, but it also puts Berkeley in a better position to have sustainable water use in the long-term.

City officials said Berkeley will be taking other steps to comply with the 20 percent water reduction edict imposed by the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

These steps include no longer watering medians and reducing landscape watering to two days a week.

The city is also minimizing vehicle washing, exploring the use of reclaimed water for irrigation and street cleaning and researching options for converting landscapes to more drought-tolerant ground cover, officials said.

Water use throughout Berkeley has declined by 15 percent since 2000, but water consumption in the city increased by seven percent between 2010 and 2013, officials said.

Officials said the increase in usage was largely driven by private residents, who commonly increase watering during early drought years to make up for a lack of rain.

City officials have formed a multi-department drought-response working group to identify additional water-saving opportunities and to regularly report on municipal water trends.

Residents are encouraged to report any leaks on city property by calling 311.

--Bay City New

Also on Patch:

• No Charges Filed Yet in Crash That Killed Two
• Want To Win A Habit Burger Food Truck Party For 100 Friends, Fremont?
• Inmate From Alameda County Found Murdered In Vacaville Prison
• Photos: Fremont Students Career Day
• Alameda County Needs Board Members
• County Activates Relief Fund to Help Earthquake Victims in Nepal