Response to Water Conservation Article

In the June 30 issue, the general manager of Glendale Water & Power, Mr. Zurn, was interviewed regarding how well residents were dealing with water conservation [Conservation Efforts Working in Glendale]. He indicated how single-family homes were doing much better in comparison with multi-housing units.

This reminded me of a meeting I attended a while back in which both Mr. Zurn and City Manager Ochoa were present. At the time, they were having community meetings to inform the public of the need for increasing rates for both water and power. We understood that utility rates, like other expenses, rise; it’s just the nature of things. We did, however, ask other pertinent questions such as will our infrastructure meet the demands of our increased growth.

Mr. Zurn assured us that our infrastructure was sound going into the future. We then asked about the overdevelopment of multi-housing units and their impact on water and electrical demands. At this point, Mr. Zurn passed the baton to City Manager Ochoa. Mr. Ochoa said, and I paraphrase here, we do not have overdevelopment and added how much water does simply flushing a toilet use. Vocal response from those in attendance was immediate and rather boisterous. To this day I cannot fathom whom he was trying to sell this to. What happened next is the norm for public input: “I’m sorry we do not have time for more questions.”

Eight to 10 units –many of which are even larger complexes – have at least two baths. Occupants not only flush toilets, they take showers, use dishwashers, wash laundry and some may have swimming pools and spas. As an example one has only look to Montrose Avenue where single-family residences on large lots have been and continue to be displaced by multi-unit buildings. I can assure you that they use much more water than the original single-family owners who irrigated their lawn. If you happen to drive by on the south side of Montrose Avenue today you will see another one of the monsters in progress. Our city manager and elected officials, along with their predecessors, have continually turned a deaf ear to overdevelopment. According to them, it doesn’t exist.

People need places to live; however, there comes a time when enough is enough. Our infrastructure, resources and traffic congestion are being way over taxed.

Santo N. Marino
Glendale 91214