캘리포니아 아메리칸 워터(California American Water, CAW)는 물과 폐수 시장에서 미국 최대 규모를 차지하는 아메리칸 워터(American Water)의 자회사로, 벤투라 카운티(Ventura County) 지역의 물 서비스와 관련한 물사용이 지난 6월 한 달 동안 총 27% 가량 감소했다고 최근 발표했다.

이는 State Water Resource Control Boards에 의한 가뭄 통제기간에의 공식적인 첫 달 기간으로 CAW는 2013년의 물사용량에 비해 32% 감소를 목표로 하고 있으며, 물사용 감소를 위한 기간동안 물절약과 관련된 도구를 제공할 방침이다.

California American Water (CAW) -- a subsidiary of American Water, the nation's largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company -- recently announced that customers in its Ventura County service territory have reduced water use by a total of 27 percent during the month of June -- the first official month of the State Water Resource Control Boards' drought mandate. The company's goal is a 32-percent reduction compared to 2013 usage.

To help customers meet the 32-percent mandate, CAW offers a suite of water conservation tools. Rebates are available to help offset the cost of turf removal and replacement, in addition to rotating sprinkler heads, pool covers and many other water-saving devices. Information about rebates and how to apply is available on the company's website (here) under the Conservation and Rebate page.

CAW is taking numerous steps to help California achieve its conservation goals and mitigate the state's drought emergency. Creating sustainable water supply benefits homeowners, businesses and the environment, as well as future generations of water users. Recently, the company contracted with WaterSmart to help customers better understand their water usage by providing them access to a behavioral water-efficiency platform, which helps water utilities engage customers, improve operational efficiency and save money.

As part of the offering, CAW customers in Ventura County have begun to receive WaterSmart's Home Water Reports. Each report details their home's water use and compares the use to homes and households of similar size. Once customers understand their use and how it compares to others, they often realize they can conserve additional water. The company will be contacting its top 100 residential water customers this month to offer conservation assistance. Representatives will also be knocking on numerous doors, offering homeowners free water audits and helpful conservation tips.

Currently customers are in stage 2 of the 5-stage plan. A move to stage 3 would trigger drought surcharges for all monthly water usage beyond 1,200 cubic feet (CCF), or 8,976 gallons. "In stage 2, the only penalties are for behavioral violations, such as watering beyond the two-day limit or hosing down your driveway," said Rick Saldivar, CAW's operations manager. "In stage 3, actual usage surcharges begin." Customers would not have individual water budgets in stage 3 of the plan. Instead, the 12 CCF threshold would be based on average winter usage in CAW's Ventura County service territory.

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 7월 14일]