Water; Pay More or Conserve It
The need for water conservation and environmental protection is increasing and while Santa Monica’s water rate hikes may seem daunting, the outcome may be beneficial.
A city council meeting last month sealed the deal for a five-year water and wastewater rate hike throughout Santa Monica starting August 1. The new plan eliminates fixed service charges and gives customers incentive to conserve. A four-tier structure, depending on your water habits, will also dictate your rate, which increases with use. Rates structures will vary slightly for single and multi-family homes as well as non-residential buildings. New low-income provisions include a discount of $1.52 on each hundred cubic feet (748 gallons) of water usage taking the place of service fee waivers. Drinking water will increase at a maximum rate of 10-11 percent yearly through 2013. The maximum rate represents the upper limit of increases, which may, depending on annual budget reviews, be more than the actual rate applied. Wastewater will increase first by 18 percent, gradually falling off to four percent by the fifth year.
So what will this mean for you? Higher water bills.
But the city is hoping the new structure will promote conservation. By eliminating flat fees, customers will pay only for what they use.
Some simple adjustments to your daily habits can cut your water usage drastically. Consider watering houseplants with used water from your fish tank; it’ll even double as fertilizer. Install low-flow showers and toilets.
To read the full five-year plan go to smgov.net and for tips on conserving water visit www.wateruseitwisely.com.
Santa Monica Goes to the Dogs
Healthy Spot was the place to see and to be seen for the pre-premiere
screening of “Greatest American Dog†on CBS. Hosts of the screening were cast members Michael and Ezzie, and Laura and Preston. Laura and Michael introduced the show, which can be viewed on CBS Thursdays at 8 P.M.
Viewers also participated in a raffle to benefit Marley’s Pit Stop Dog Rescue. The group holds adoptions every Sunday from 1-5 at Healthy Spot.
Healthy Spot is a full-service pet store, featuring safe, healthy alternative foods and grooming supplies and equipment.
Fans of the reality show were gathered with their pooches to watch the show’s premier July 10. The store was transformed into a doggie living room. Samples of treats for dogs and humans rounded out the occasion.
The only downside was that Michael and Ezzie were the first contestants to be eliminated at the show’s completion. Oh well, it’s a dog’s world!
Urban Dare
The Urban Dare Challenge will, once again, take to the streets of Santa Monica in a full-day urban scavenger hunt. Teams of two will face off through a series of mental and physical challenges. All the while, they’ll be capturing photographic proof at landmarks along the way. Covering up to seven miles and four hours, competitors will traverse the city on foot or bus equipped with cellphones, cameras and GPS navigators. The Urban Dare Challenge will take place on August 23 with online registration open until August 21.
For more information, visit www.UrbanDare.com
Santa Monica Stink?
Twenty-three ficus trees along Santa Monica’s 2nd and 4th streets outgrew their welcome last May and were relocated or retired. Over a hundred new ginkgo biloba trees, which have a decidedly pungent odor, will replace the ficus trees in the heart of the city.
The scent, described as ‘rancid cheese’ or ‘vomit,’ strikes in the spring when the female trees bear fruit.
So why not plant only male trees? Ginkgo trees can’t be identified as male or female until they’re well rooted and mature. By then they’ll be snuggly in place along the main arteries of downtown. Perhaps local residents have a new reason to raise a stink about Santa Monica’s tree problems
