Whither Costa Mesa Water?

Who’s consuming most of the water in Costa Mesa?

A 3,400-unit apartment complex was at the top of the list, at least during the five-month period ending in mid-May. Two educational entities, Fairview Development Center and the Costa Mesa Civic Center rate among the four other biggest users in the city.

However, consumption is lower for all five in 1991 compared to the same period a year ago. This is particularly true of the Civic Center, Fairview Development Center and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, all three of which managed to shave at least 17% from last year’s water consumption. The Coast Community College District, which includes Mesa Verde School and Orange Coast College, also showed a double-digit decrease.

Here’s how the 1991 consumption numbers compare to last year’s for the five users as well as how they’ve improved on a percentage basis:

WATER USE, IN FIVE-MONTH PERIOD (amounts shown are billing units; one billing unit equals 748 gallons:) The Lakes at South Coast 12/15/89-5/14/90: 28,706 12/15/90-5/14/91: 26,778 Fairview Development Center 12/15/89-5/14/90: 30,812 12/15/90-5/14/91: 24,802 Newport-Mesa Unified School District 12/15/89-5/14/90: 28,691 12/15/90-5/14/91: 23,747 Coast Community College District 12/15/89-5/14/90: 20,885 12/15/90-5/14/91: 18,604 Costa Mesa Civic Center 12/15/89-5/14/90: 1,834 12/15/90-5/14/91: 1,450

PERCENTAGE REDUCED The Lakes at South Coast: -6.7% Fairview Development Center: -19.5% Newport-Mesa Unified School District: -17.2% Coast Community College District: -10.9% Costa Mesa Civic Center: -20.9%