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Customer Water Use Exceeds Reduction Target in October
Read the LA Times article detailing our success
Congratulations to our customers for another successful month conserving water!
New figures show that customer water use last month was down 25.2 percent compared to October 2013, exceeding the city’s 20 percent conservation target for the sixth consecutive month this year. Water use in October was almost identical to our customers’ overall water use the previous month of September 2015. The positive numbers demonstrate again that Ventura Water customers are committed to meeting the challenges of conserving water and are making their new water-wise habits a lifestyle!
In fact, Ventura Water and our customers were complemented for our conservation successes in an article the Los Angeles Times published on Nov. 14 titled, “How did some of California's biggest water savers cut even more? By getting creative.” The LA Times article discussed our successful efforts to boost water conservation by tackling the issue on a number of fronts, including our popular “Dirty Car” and “Hey Ventura, What’s Your Shower Song” campaigns, our use of social media and radio, our innovative Water: Take 1 short film contest, and by joining forces with supportive local businesses, among other efforts. (Read the LA Times article here.)
Remember: Ventura declared a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency requiring customers to reduce water use by 20 percent. (See the details here.)
Ventura Water offers free water conservation aids and on-site commercial and residential water surveys to help our customers save water. Use the New Water Calculator tool to help schedule your irrigation timers more efficiently. Learn more by clicking here. Please contact Customer Care at myvtawater@cityofventura.net or call (805) 667-6500 to schedule a water conservation survey.
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Ventura Water Holds Meeting on the Santa Clara River Estuary
 Ventura Water hosted a stakeholders meeting and workshop on Nov. 3 for community members interested in learning more about how the City plans to provide a sustainable water future for Ventura residents, while addressing the complex interests surrounding the Santa Clara River Estuary.
In December of 2011, the Ventura City Council voted on a final settlement agreement and consent decree with Heal the Bay and Wishtoyo Foundation/Ventura Coastkeeper to resolve legal actions associated with the City’s Reclamation Facility discharges of tertiary treated water into the Santa Clara River Estuary. In this agreement, the City agreed to further investigate and determine how best to use this water resource for the future while preserving the Santa Clara River Estuary’s natural habitat.
Per the consent decree, by the end of this year, the City must propose a project or projects that would address reusing 100 percent of the discharge from the existing Reclamation Facility to the estuary. However, the final discharge amount has not been determined yet, but will take into account water quality and habitat preservation.
The stakeholder meeting began at 9:30 a.m. with a tour of the City’s new VenturaWaterPure “potable reuse” demonstration facility and then convened at City Hall for a workgroup. Regulators, members of environmental groups, recreation users, ratepayers and potential water reuse customers attended to learn about the activities conducted this year regarding the Santa Clara River Estuary. Following the welcome and introductions, Carollo Engineers gave a comprehensive progress update on estuary monitoring activities conducted to date, 100 percent diversion as defined by the Consent Decree, the estimated range of costs for 100 percent diversion, and brine disposal options and costs. (Brine refers to the waste by-products of potable reuse and desalination that requires proper treatment and/or disposal.)
Looking ahead, more data will be collected and compiled for the estuary and the potable reuse pilot study. The next stakeholder workshop will be held mid-year in 2016.
To review the PowerPoint presentation given at the Nov. 3 meeting, click here.
Learn more about the estuary settlement here.
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Prepare to Capture El Niño Rains with a Rain Barrel or Cistern
With heavy rains predicted for this winter, it’s time to invest in a rain barrel or Cistern!
Ventura Water and the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division, in cooperation with Smith Pipe & Supply, are pleased to offer Ventura residents a Channel/Bushman 50-gallon rain barrel at the discounted price of $45 plus tax ($92 retail value). Present this voucher at Smith Pipe & Supply, 3060 Sherwin Ave. in Ventura to receive the discount on up to two rain barrels per customer or residential address. Please bring proof of your City of Ventura residency, such as your Ventura Water or other utility bill. These rain barrels are for non-potable water use only and the program is subject to availability. Click here to learn more, or to download the the voucher, click here.
Also, take advantage of funds available from the Ventura Water Incentive Program to purchase a larger cistern to capture more rainwater. Storage size restrictions apply. Visit www.cityofventura.net/waterwise.
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Film Submission Deadline is
Dec. 14 for Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest
 If you’re planning to enter a film in Ventura Water’s 4th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest, get your camera rolling - the film submission deadline is Dec. 14!
Water: Take 1 aims to elevate the value of water and create awareness of water as a valuable resource by inviting filmmakers locally and worldwide to submit short films of five minutes or less in any genre - drama, documentary, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental - addressing the topic of water. The contest theme this year is, “Watch. Collaborate. Sustain.”
Awards include the Audience Choice Award, voted on by the general public; the award for Best Student Film, chosen by a jury of entertainment and water industry experts; the Grand Prize, a $1,500 prize presented by Ventura Water; and the Ventura Vision Award, which recognizes films shot in and around the City of Ventura. This year, there also will be a Santa Monica Vision Award for films shot in and around the City of Santa Monica, Water: Take 1’s new partner city.
Anyone can participate in the contest by voting online for their favorite film and awarding the Audience Choice Award. The deadline for film submissions is Dec. 14, 2015 with voting for the Audience Choice Award open through Jan. 15, 2016. The winning films will be presented at an Awards Celebration in March of 2016 at the Downtown Ventura Century 10 Movie Theater. Check your Pipeline for updates or visit www.watertake1.com to learn more and cast your vote.
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