San Marino Responds to 'Poor' Water Conservation Rating

Despite recently receiving a by the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter, San Marino’s water consumption is actually down over the last 12 months.

California American Water, San Marino’s water provider, reports that the city’s service system--which includes several neighboring cities--has delivered 15 percent less water over the last 12 months to San Marino’s system.

According to the July Sierra Club survey, San Marino implemented nine out of 19 measures to receive the “poor” rating. The Sierra Club graded 122 incorporated cities in Los Angeles and Orange County on their water conservation measures and ordinances implemented by the local government.

Brian Barreto, an external affairs representative from California American Water, was surprised by the city’s poor performance.

“It surprises me in the sense that I’m not sure exactly the matrix of how the Sierra Club put their score cards together,” said Barreto. “Looking at the scorecard itself, I’m not sure how they were able to determine residential water efficiency measures. For example, toilets rated at 1.28 gallons a flush. I’m not sure why that’s determined as a red X as opposed to a green checkmark. Did they call every single resident? Did they send out a flyer to fill out?”

Jennifer Robinson, a conservation coordinator for the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter, said the data was compiled by looking at each city’s building and water conservation codes. If the city implemented a specific conservation measure they received one point. No point was given if the measure was not implemented.

“The pass or no pass is whether or not a specific item is listed within their government ordinances or building codes,” said Robinson. “We were scoring was the water conservation methods that have been enacted by the city council whether as water conservation ordinances, landscape ordinances or in some cases as building codes.”

Since the scorecard was based purely on conservation methods enacted by local government, San Marino’s score does not reflect individual conservation methods taken upon by its residents.

“Our scorecard was for what the city required, it does not reflect what specific local residences or specific local businesses are choosing to do, said Robinson. “[The scorecard] is based on what is mandated by the city codes and the measures they have on their books.”

According to Barreto, the city currently has no plans to change its conservation efforts based on the Sierra Club study.

San Marino residents can apply for rebates on water efficient products, such as high-efficiency toilets and low water urinals, through California American Water’s district rebate programs.

For the complete Sierra Club report, click HERE.