Knowing Your Drought Number

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.  The west and the southwest might have new numbers for us to keep track of - - our "drought number": 

"Some local agencies are implementing a drought number model. In Santa Monica, the City Council passed a first-reading in August of an ordinance that would apply an indoor water allocation of 68 gallons per-person-per-capita for every single-family home with four people, said Gilbert Borboa, water resources manager for the city of Santa Monica.

“A customer uses beyond that allocation, then it is possible some penalties might apply,” he said. Today, residents are using about 88 gallons per person per day in Santa Monica, he said.

The City Council will vote on the water-allocation plan next month. Santa Monica will work on allocations for bigger households, apartments and condominiums and for commercial establishments such as hotels, he said. Indoor use is “essential” for health and safety, while the ordinance labels outdoor use as “non-essential.”"