Sustainability Spotlight: LB Water Launches Certified Blue Restaurant Program

The Long Beach Water Department just launched a new program to recognize restaurants that make an effort to conserve water. The program provides resources for restaurants to use water more efficiently and save money. LB Water provides a free on-site water efficiency survey to identify areas for improvement. Some water efficiency devices are also provided free of charge, and LB Water will connect restaurants with rebate programs that make other improvements more affordable. Recognized businesses will receive a “brag kit” to showcase their water saving accomplishments to customers. They will also be featured on LB Water’s website and in its other marketing channels.

LB Water is committed to making water conservation an everyday way of life for all Long Beach residents and businesses. Total water use in Long Beach is about 100 gallons per person per day, two thirds of which is residential use. The other third of that water is used to run local businesses. Restaurants are one of the highest water using industries, accounting for 5-10% of commercial water use. This program aims to conserve water where it is most used by making efficiency improvements easy and affordable while giving local businesses the recognition they deserve for their conservation efforts.

Do you want to eat at a Long Beach Certified Blue Restaurant? Do you want to get your local restaurant certified? Go to register.lbwater.org/restaurants to find blue restaurants or apply for certification. If you see your favorite restaurant isn’t certified, let them know water conservation is important to you! You can help this program spread and reach its goal of 100 Long Beach Certified Blue Restaurants by July 2018.

Do you know of sustainable efforts in Long Beach that more people should know about? Email us your nominations for the next Sustainability Spotlight.