School District to save up to 2.6 million gallons of drinking water annually

Central Basin Municipal Water District has partnered with the Montebello Unified School District to connect Montebello Gardens Elementary School to recycled water for landscape irrigation. As of a result of the connection, the School District will save an average of eight acre-feet of drinking water per year at this site. This works out to 2.6 million gallons of drinking water annually. (One acre-foot equals approximately 326,000 gallons, or enough water for two average-sized families for one year). "Central Basin is proud to have partnered with the Montebello Unified School District" said Central Basin Board President Ed Vasquez. "The connection at Montebello Gardens Elementary School is yet another great example of how we can utilize recycled water to create savings and help conserve valuable drinking water." The use of recycled water has several benefits. It is a cost-effective alternative to imported water that can create savings for businesses, schools and cities. Also, it improves reliability and reduces dependence on imported water supplies. In addition to savings and reliability, the use of recycled water has positive environmental impacts such as the reduction of wastewater that is discharged into the ocean. To date more than 200 sites throughout Southeast Los Angeles County have been connected to receive recycled water. Several other locations in the Central Basin service area will hopefully be connected in 2012. Central Basin is a public agency that wholesales imported water to cities, mutual water companies, investor-owned utilities and private companies in southeast Los Angeles County, serving a population of more than 2 million. In addition, Central Basin provides the region with recycled water for municipal, commercial and industrial uses. Formed in 1952, Central Basin is committed to ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the region. For more information please visit www.centralbasin.org.

Melvin Wylie