California's water supply is under intense pressure from climate change, increasing population, and development. We need to encourage greater water conservation in order to ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations.
You can help by urging your legislators to support AB 19, introduced by Paul Fong, to ensure a more stable water supply.
Most apartment buildings and condominiums do not provide water meters to individual units. Instead, the cost of water use is included with the cost of rent, charged as a flat fee, or allocated by some method among the residents connected to a master meter. Residents in such units do not know how much water they use and thus have no incentive to use water more efficiently.
Studies have shown that the use of water submeters are associated with decreased water usage. A 2004 Aquacraft Inc. study showed water savings of 15.3% when comparing submetered properties with rental properties that do not bill water separately from rent. Another study showed water usage in submetered units to be 18% to 39% less than non-submetered units.
AB 19 creates a submetering requirement for newly constructed buildings that will encourage those living in them to be more aware of their water usage.
By charging residents living in apartments or condominiums the actual cost based on their usage, it will provide them with an incentive to conserve water.
Please urge your legislators to support AB 19 and water conservation!
