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Community Corner

Celebrate World Water Day Today

The UNICEF Tap Project encourages restaurants to raise funds for clean water for children.

In July 2007, the city asked that residents voluntarily reduce their water usage, but it was in July 2009 that the City Council declared "Water Conservation Stage B," mandating all customers to reduce their water usage by 10 percent. That meant scheduled days and times for watering your lawn. Water on the wrong day and you risk having to spring $100 for a citation.

Here’s where we can give ourselves a little pat on the back. According to Shana Epstein, Environmental Utilities Manager, Department of Public Works and Transportation, water use in the city is now about 10 percent less than in 2009.

That’s certainly not to say we can rest on our laurels. Especially with the recent heavy rains, we are reminded not to water for several days until our lawns really, really needs it. Reducing your automatic sprinkler system time and number of days can make the biggest difference and is one of easiest solutions, said Epstein. Even consider reducing the lawn and replacing it with low-water use plants.

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World Water Day was organized by the UN Water group and has been celebrated each year since 1993. This year’s theme is “Water for the City.” Cutting back is good for the city's supply and your wallet, the Metropolitan Water District tells us.

My household water bill is about $25 less each month since my teen son moved out to go to college. Not uncommon, noted Epstein. Teens seem to be notorious for over-zealous drenchings, not the three-minute showers recommended for water conservation.

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You may have noticed the sign out in front of the on North Beverly Drive promoting their Levi’s Water Less jeans. Check out this recently introduced collection that the company website says “is made using significantly less water." The average pair of jeans uses about 11 gallons of water in the finishing process. The "Water<Less" collection reduces water consumption by an average of 28 percent, and up to 96 percent for some new products in the line. In honor of World Water Day, the company is donating 200 million liters of clean water to communities in need through its partnership with Water.org.

Want a global approach to water usage that’s local as well? Restaurants around the world are participating in the UNICEF Tap Project and asking patrons to donate a dollar or more for a glass of tap water, which they'd usually get for free. All the funds raised would support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world. Attention Beverly Hills eateries: if you would still like to participate in the campaign, check out the website.

Some of these tips may seem like just a drop in the bucket, but keep it up and it will make a difference.

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