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Sprinkler Shutdown: Manhattan Beach Averaging 16% Water Savings

Sep 14, 2022 10:54PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Have you shut down your sprinkler? It appears that most people in Manhattan Beach have responded to the call to cease outdoor watering between September 6 and September 20.

Recent numbers show that since September 6, when residents were first asked to shut down sprinklers, the city has reduced its water consumption by about 16.6% per day.

The temporary outdoor watering shutdown is related to the emergency repair work on a major pipeline that is owned by the Metropolitan Water District.

However, the shutdown also comes at a time when Californians are being encouraged to save water in the face of a historic drought.

“While it is encouraging to see the recent reduction in the city’s water usage as a result of the 15-day ban on outdoor watering, we still have a lot to do achieve the state mandated goal of reducing water by 20%,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano in a statement.

Since Manhattan Beach declared a Stage 2 water shortage in July 2022, the city has reduced its overall water consumption by 9% in comparison to its usage during the same period in 2021, according to city records.

Additional data for September 2022 shows that the city is utilizing more of its local water supply, with approximately 25% currently coming from the city’s groundwater wells.

Large Public Spaces Use Recycled Water


As a reminder for those who see large outdoor spaces being watered, the city (and the school district) uses recycled water in the vast majority of its parks, open spaces, and playing fields. The use of recycled water is exempt from the current ban on outdoor watering. Given that this water is not suitable for drinking purposes, it can only be used for landscape irrigation.

All areas that are irrigated by recycled water will have purple signs identifying them. A list of those locations can be found on the city’s website.

To learn more about opportunities to save water, visit Water Conservation Tips and Links. Additionally, there are multiple Water Saving Programs available to help residents and businesses conserve water. 

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