• Stockton East Water District – New Hogan Reservoir at 27% capacity.

• Calaveras County Water District – king for volunteer conservation. May have to enforce stricter measures if drought persists.

• Central Valley Project – New Melones is at 50% capacity on Oct. 31. Two more years of drought will bring level to historic lows. Carry-over amounts from 2008 water year to 2009 are 3.9 million acre-feet, or 58% of average. Average carry-over is 6.7 million acre-feet. San Luis Reservoir at 12% capacity on Oct. 15.

• Stanislaus County – Cattle ranchers thinning herds due to reduced pasture grass. Others spending additional money on supplemental feed. Some investing in new wells for goat and sheep production and selling livestock at lighter weights this year.

• South San Joaquin Irrigation District – Sold excess 4,800 acre feet of water to drought-stricken Central Irrigation District and Stockton East Water District for combined $224,000. SSJID has made nearly $2 million selling water to other districts this year due to conservation and water supply management.

• City of Fresno – Approved Urban Water Management Plan in August; meters to be installed citywide by 2013; rate structure changing to metered in 2010. Conservation measures to increase.

• Kings River / Pine Flat Dam – Fisherman asked to not catch and release trout until Oct. 15, as trout are struggling due to warmer conditions and low flows.

• City of Delano – Implemented emergency water shortage ordinance in June; limits outside watering to even-odd days and no Mondays. Saving more than 2 million gallons per day. It’s so effective, City Council voted to make it permanent.  

• City of Plymouth / Amador Water Agency – Called for voluntary conservation as well levels fall. Will host water conservation workshop for Plymouth water users.  

• Central Valley – New Melones is at 46% capacity on Dec. 1. Two more years of drought will bring level to historic lows. Carry-over amounts from 2008 water year to 2009 are 3.9 million acre-feet, or 58% of average. Average carry-over is 6.7 million acre-feet. San Luis Reservoir at 20% capacity on Dec. 1.

• Tulare County – Homeowners and farmers drilling hundreds of new wells to reach water supplies deep in the earth as water tables dry up.

• City of Stockton – Considering changing its declining rate structure to encourage conservation. City’s goal is to reduce water usage 3.4% in five years, offer more rebates for water efficient appliances and increased public outreach.

• San Luis Reservoir – As of Sept. 20, Central Valley Project’s main source is at 13% capacity (30% of average for this time of year).

• Western San Joaquin Valley – Mandatory rationing has ended early because of declining demand that resulted when crops were abandoned and fall planting declined. Deliveries have returned to normal, based on 40% allocation. Since late May, almond growers were under mandatory water rationing and were urged to save their water supplies for post-harvest watering to save crops for next year. This will likely reduce almond yields through next year. Some are receiving 40% of normal supplies.

• San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority – Mandatory rationing in effect through Aug. 31. Water to be allocated to member districts according to contracts. Reduced deliveries estimated to cost region $84.6 million in lost economic activity, on top of $33.9 million in lost farm income. An estimated 700 jobs have been lost and $24.2 million decline in payrolls and proprietor income. Contact: Dan Nelson, 209-826-9696,www.sldmwa.org.

• Westlands Water District – Anticipating a 0% water supply from Bureau in 2009. (Bureau makes announcement mid-Feb.) Expect groundwater pumping to increase dramatically. Operating in survival mode. Mandatory rationing was in place through Aug. 31, ‘08. One-third of farmland was fallowed and millions of dollars in crops was abandoned. Hundreds of jobs lost in 2008. An analysis projects a $26.7 million loss in farm income, $65.9 million reduction in regional economic output, and an $18.9 million decline in regional payrolls and proprietor income. Fresno County Board of Supervisors has declared a local emergency. Contact: Sarah Woolf, 559-341-0174, www.westlandswater.org.

• Kern County Water Agency – Declared water supply emergency June 11. Voluntary water conservation in place. Thousands of acres are being fallowed, and even more acres of permanent crops are being under-irrigated, which will reduce yields and revenues to growers. Significant impacts expected for residents and economy of Kern County. Contact: Jeanne Varga, 661-634-1423, www.kcwa.com.  

• Turlock Irrigation District – Reduced water allotment for growers, shortened irrigation season and established a mandatory cap on water use per acre for the first time since 1992. Contact: Michelle Reimers, 209-883-8530, www.tid.com.

Southern California

• Crescenta Valley Water District – Updating water ordinance and water conservation resolution. Initiated Water Conservation Alert System with Foothill MWD and other agencies to inform customers. Currently on "yellow" or Stage 3 (Extraordinary Conservation Alert). Has dedicated phone line to report water waste. Contact: Christy Scott, 818-248-3925, www.cvwd.com

• Cucamonga Valley Water District – dating Water Use Efficiency Ordinance and Water Supply Contingency Ordinance for adoption in early ’09. Launched outreach campaign “Conserve today for a better tomorrow.” During last 5 months, consumption down 8%. Approved tiered rate structure in May. Converted a potable water storage tank for recycled water for landscape irrigation.

• Triunfo Sanitation District – Water rationing and higher rates being considered to curb water use by customers in Oak Park and Thousand Oaks. The board plans to adopt a mandatory conservation program by April 2009.

• California American Water (Thousand Oaks) – Will revise rate structure to encourage conservation.

• Orange County – Water may be harder due to MWD delivering only Colorado River water to O.C. and leaving SWP water for agencies that rely solely on SWP. State water is usually blended with Co. River water, then processed with local water supplies to make softer. City of La Palma is notifying residents they may need to bathe with more soap due to the hardness of the water.

• Central Basin Municipal Water District – Has developed water supply allocation plan if MWD rations water. District’s 24 cities have adopted resolutions to join the District's "Shut Your Tap!" drought messaging campaign to increase local conservation efforts. Increasing regional water savings through public workshops, rebate incentives, education programs and the expansion of the recycled water system. Contact: Valerie Howard (323) 201-5552. www.centralbasin.org

• Monte Visa Water District – Declared Stage I water supply shortage and implemented voluntary water conservation measures.

• City of Carlsbad – Holding workshops to draft a new water conservation ordinance. Considering making certain conservation exemptions for businesses that require ample water to succeed, i.e., farming and technology.

• Colorado River – In its eighth year of drought; tri-state agreement nearly reached to revive desal plant, which California would benefit from.

• La Quinta – City’s Green Program has included ripping out grass in medians, city hall and the senior center and replacing it with drought-tolerant plants; requiring same of developers. Offering incentives for residents to buy “smart controllers” for landscaping. Cash for grass program up to $100.

• Los Angeles County – Supervisors passed ordinances Oct. 7 requiring drought tolerant landscaping, “smart controllers,” and capturing storm water runoff for new development in unincorporated areas. Issued countywide water supply and conservation alert July 1. Calling on residents, businesses and cities to step up conservation efforts and cut water usage by 15% to 20%.

• Imperial Irrigation District – Declared a water supply emergency Aug. 19. The district is currently 65,000-69,000 acre-feet over 3.1 million acre-feet allocation. District used more water than it was supposed to this year; facing possibility of rationing next year. Board considering “equitable distribution program” effective Jan.1 in which farms, businesses, cities, others would receive set amount of water based on past usage. Farmers would get 5.3 acre-feet per acre. Held workshop Oct. 6.

• Diamond Valley Lake – Lake at 60% capacity. Boat launches suspended indefinitely due to low water level. Local businesses dependent on anglers are suffering. MWD lake was meant to be emergency supply for Southern California.

• San Diego County – Exploring mandating drought- and fire-resistant landscaping for new construction. Farmers preparing for increased water costs due to MWD ending discount program for ag users expected to be approved in Oct.

• City of San Juan Capistrano – Approved sweeping water conservation law that fines residents watering lawns / gardens during the day and bans pools from being emptied or refilled more than once every 7 years (except for health and safety).

• City of Garden Grove – Reminding customers of resolution passed in ’97 urging them to conserve by 10%. Considering changing ordinance to allow for artificial turf.

• City of Santa Ana – City passed ordinance in February urging residents to conserve. Implemented tiered rate system 12 years ago, saving 7-8%. “Flat-lined” since then.

• City of Pasadena – Launched conservation campaign last year urging residents to conserve; is considering imposing fines for water wasters.

• City of Anaheim – Voluntary conservation measures in place. Might consider drought surcharge if dry conditions persist.

• Vista Irrigation District – Passed comprehensive water conservation ordinance Sept. 3 containing four levels of drought response. Declared Stage 1 alert with voluntary conservation measures.

• City of Thousand Oaks – Asking for voluntary water reduction from residents by cutting down on outdoor watering. Warning that if reduction goals aren’t met, mandatory conservation will come next year.

• University of California, Riverside – UCR botanist awarded $175,000 grant to study how Southern California’s plants affect the drought.
  
• City of Rancho Mirage -- City Hall is undergoing a $480,000 landscaping renovation, replacing grass with desert landscaping and artificial turf. Also removing high-water oleander trees from Highway 111 medians and working to get LEED certified.

• Golden State Water Agency – Applied for 27% rate increase in 2010 to pay for increased cost of water and infrastructure projects through 2012. Rates would increase by smaller amounts in 2011 and 2012. Also charging service fee based on usage: using more than 1,600 cubic feet per month means paying 15 percent more for the service charge.

• City of Westminster– Approved first water conservation resolution and Emergency Water Program that asks customers to voluntarily reduce water use by 10%.

• Imperial Irrigation District – Declared a water supply emergency Aug. 19. The district is currently 65,000-69,000 acre-feet over 3.1 million acre-feet allocation. District used more water than it was supposed to this year; facing possibility of rationing next year. Board considering “equitable distribution program” effective Jan.1 in which farms, businesses, cities, others would receive set amount of water based on past usage. Holding workshop Oct. 6.

• City of Burbank – Voted to draft two new conservation ordinances Aug. 19. The first would require landscape irrigation in new construction to use recycled water, higher efficiency sprinklers and “hydrozones” (grouping high-water plants together to save water). The second would require faucet aerators and meters in public restrooms.

• Moulton Niguel Water District – Urging customers to implement voluntary reductions in water use. Participating in “Orange County Water Hero” campaign, a partnership of Orange County water agencies. Aggressively promoting water-saving rebates and stepping up community outreach and awareness efforts. Reviewing current conservation policies and considering changes to implement an updated drought response plan. Contact: Kathleen A. Hedges, (949) 448-4032, www.mnwd.com .

• Long Beach Water Department – City reached a 10-year record low in demand in July, using 16% less than average. Declared formal water shortage. Mandatory water use restrictions in place. Outdoor water use restricted. Approved 15.8% rate hike for water and sewer effective Sept. 08. Contact: Ryan Alsop, 562-570-2314, www.lbwater.org.

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power : On Aug. 22 Mayor firmly ordered city officials to conduct ongoing audits of water use by all departments after a L.A. Times video showed water waste by the city. Mayor signed ordinance Aug. 14 doubling fines for customers who violate “drought buster” rules, including watering lawns between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., car owners who wash their cars without "shut-off devices" on their hoses and restaurants that serve water without being asked. Earlier this summer, strengthened existing water use ordinance to prohibit certain uses of water and increase penalties for violations. Mayor announced long-term strategy for more aggressive water conservation and water recycling to meet an expected 15% increase in water demand by 2030. Contact: Joseph Ramallo, 213-367-1361, www.ladwp.com.

• City of Santa Monica – City council voted for a five-year water and wastewater rate hikeeffective Aug. 1. Eliminates fixed service charges and gives customers incentives to conserve. Drinking water will increase at a maximum rate of 10-11% yearly through 2013. Wastewater will increase first by 18%, gradually falling off to 4% by the fifth year.

• Calleguas Municipal Water District – Asking for voluntary conservation and warning that if water use is not reduced mandatory measures may be taken.

• City of San Diego – Conservation improved from 1.3% in June to 5% in September compared to 2007. Goal is 10%. Holding community forums around city to educate residents about drought. Mayor warned Oct. 14 that mandatory rationing would come if conservation efforts don’t increase. Declared water shortage emergency July 28 and called for residents to voluntarily conserve water or face mandatory cutbacks down the road..

• City of Chino Hills – Issued a Stage 2 water alert effective Aug. 8. Prohibiting use of hoses to clean outdoor areas and water leaks and runoff from landscaping. Outdoor watering prohibited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for water-dependent industries. Restaurants will not serve drinking water to patrons unless requested.

• City of Fontana/Fontana Water Company – Considering using recycled water to irrigate public landscaping. The city could purchase recycled water for $63 per acre-foot to irrigate parks and landscaping vs. $750 per acre-foot for potable water in some areas of town. City directed staff to seek $5.2 billion in grants to help pay for city’s portion at its July council meeting.

• Olivenhain Municipal Water District – Launched public outreach campaign “H20 Running Low” Nov. 20. Conservation rate is 5.4% compared to 2007. Adopted a Drought Response Conservation Ordinance and declared a Level 1 drought July 23. If 10% water reduction goals are not achieved in Level 1, mandatory reductions will be triggered in Level 2 and no new service connections will be granted. Also, water rates could increase up to 15% under most extreme conditions. Contact: Kimberly Thorner, 760-753-6466, www.omwd.com.

• City of Del Mar - Residents and businesses slashed water use more than 20% this year compared to 2007. City held a few dozen neighborhood meetings about the region's water shortage.

• Lincoln Avenue Water Company – Established temporary moratorium on all new connections. Issued a water supply alert and declared drought condition exist in service area. Has voluntary conservation in place for existing customers.

• Coachella Valley Water District – Preparing for implementation of water budget-based tiered rates next spring; installing of residential and large landscape smart controllers in conjunction with local municipalities; residential turf replacement; residential and large landscape curbside buffers; irrigation system evaluation assistance, large landscape low-interest conservation loans; landscape and irrigation plan checking. Adopted ordinance requiring developers to install smart controllers on new homes and no sprinkler irrigation within two feet of curbs. Contact: Mark Beuhler, 760-398-2651, www.cvwd.org.

• Eastern Municipal Water District – Board adopted new tiered rate structure effective March 1 penalizing overuse. Calling for 10% voluntary conservation. Joined with other Riverside County agencies Nov. 1 in regional conservation outreach program “Water: Use it Wisely.” Currently amending water shortage contingency plan to better coordinate with MWD’s water shortage allocation plan. Has adopted new policies requiring builders to use water-efficient landscaping in all new developments and penalizing customers who allow water to runoff their landscapes. Proactively target marketing high water use customers to share new ordinances, proposed rate changes, rebates, and programs. Contact: Melanie Nieman, 951-928-3777, www.emwd.org.

• Western Municipal Water District – In final stages of developing Water Use Efficiency Master Plan for retail/wholesale customers. In Jan. 09, 800 “smart” controllers to be installed in high-use residential sites. Recently completed installing “smart” irrigation at 7 highest commercial water users in Murrieta area and at Poly High School in Riverside. In October, finished interactive gardening CD as tool for water districts to promote water wise landscaping. Joined with other Riverside County agencies in “Water: Use it Wisely” outreach campaign Nov. 1. Contact: Tedi Jackson, 951-789-5055, www.wmwd.com

• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District – Adopted ordinance prohibiting water waste. Developing drought outreach materials for next 12 months. Developing five-year conservation business plan. Exploring possibility of allocation-based rate structures. Asking customers to reduce water use by 10%. Participating in 'A Summer Must, Water Only After Dusk' campaign. Contact: Greg Morrison, 951-674-3146, www.evmwd.com.

• Helix Water District – GM Mark Weston says mandatory rationing likely by 2009. Crafting a Water Shortage Action Plan that will include new rate structures as well as non-rate responses to the four drought levels outlined in the Drought Response Policy and Procedure passed in July. Declared Level 1 Drought Watch July 16. Asking customers to cut water use by 10%. In addition to regional voucher programs, offering rebates on “SMART” irrigation controllers and artificial turf. Ongoing promotion of water-wise landscaping and conservation. Contact: Kate Breece, 619-667-6270, www.hwd.com.

• Inland Empire Utilities Agency - Holding monthly water supply strategy meetings with member agencies. Implementing conjunctive use agreement with MWD to reduce imported water use by 33,000 acre-feet during the next 12 months and increasing pumping in the Chino Basin by 33,000 acre-feet. Asking residents to reduce water use by 10% (20 Gallon Challenge Campaign), offering multiple rebate programs with customers and accelerating implementation of recycled water program to hook up 50,000 acre-feet of recycled water use by 2010. Working with cities and water agencies to update and adopt drought ordinances by December 2008. Contact Sondra Elrod, 909-993-1747, www.ieua.org .

• Las Virgenes Municipal Water District – Adopted conservation measures prohibiting irrigation between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and washing down hardscape with water, require restaurants to serve water only upon request, and require hotels to offer guests the option to retain towels and linens. Customers asked to conserve by 10%. Also proposing water use restriction ordinances that would promulgate a penalty structure for violations of these conservation measures and developing water budgets for single family residential customers Contact: Jimmie Cho, 818-251-2310, www.lvmwd.dst.ca.us.

• Los Angeles County : Issued countywide water supply and conservation alert July 1. Calling on residents, businesses and cities to step up conservation efforts and cut water usage by 15% to 20%.

• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – GM Jeff Kightlinger says board will discuss in November whether and when to implement mandatory rationing. Declared water supply alert June 13 and called for extraordinary conservation. Mandatory 30% cut in supplies already imposed for agricultural water users. Implementing $6.3 million ad campaign urging residents to cut back on outdoor watering by one day a week. Will increase water rates by 14%. MWD member agencies also are reviewing the need for retail water rate increases. Contact: Bob Muir, 213-217-6930, www.mwdh2o.com.

• Padre Dam Municipal Water District – Adopted a new four-level Water Conservation and Drought Ordinance and declared Level 1 Drought Watch on June 24. Level 1 asks for 10% reduction and includes 11 mandatory restrictions including irrigating hours, stopping runoff and using positive shut-off nozzles. Imposing fines (or water school) for any second offense. Free water efficient landscaping classes are offered to customers and incentive programs to promote indoor and outdoor conservation. Contact: Melissa McChesney, 619-258-4680, www.padredam.org

• Rancho California Water District – Implementing mandatory water reduction for high-use customers through water rate structure. Contact: Meggan Reed, 951-296-6922, www.ranchowater.com.

• San Diego County Water Authority – Working with member agencies to ensure they adopt updated drought ordinances by 2009 and start preparing for conservation outreach efforts in 09. Combined conservation rate of agencies is 12% compared to 12.8% in 2007. Asking customers to reduce water use by 20 gallons a day. Running $1.8 million ad campaign, themed “Save it or Lose it,” to cut residential water use by 56,000 acre-feet this year. Approved model drought response ordinance in March 2008 to help its 24 member retail water agencies create up-to-date and consistent drought response policies and actions, including mandatory water use restrictions. Local water agencies are expected to adopt their versions of the ordinance this summer. Water supplies cut by 30% for about 5,000 growers in San Diego County under reductions imposed by MWD. Contact: John Liarakos, 858-522-6703, www.sdcwa.org.

• Santa Margarita Water District – Encouraging voluntary reductions in water use. Promoting use of dedicated landscape meters and providing rebates for high-efficiency clothes washers and weather-based irrigation controllers. Contact: John Schatz, 949-459-6400, www.smwd.com.

• Sweetwater Authority – Taking part in "20 Gallon Challenge” voluntary conservation campaign, asking residents to conserve 20 gallons of water per day. (Sweetwater customers average 124 gallon per day.) Considering adopting new drought response ordinance to establish policies and actions that are up to date in San Diego County. Contact Mark Rogers 619 409-6702, www.sweetwater.org.    

• Vallecitos Water District – Taking part in “20 Gallon Challenge” voluntary conservation campaign. Considering adoption of new model drought response ordinance to institute policies and actions that are up to date and consistent countywide. Contact: Bill Rucker, 760-744-0460, www.vwd.org.  

• Valley Center Municipal Water District – MWD calls for rationing, considering double rates for residential customers using up to 15% more than their allocated water. Mandatory 30% reduction in place for agricultural water users. Educating / assisting growers with decisions to opt in/out of MWD / SDCWA ag incentive programs. Board approved concept of basing future reductions to all customers on a percentage reduction against a base allocation enforced by a pass-through of the penalty structure adopted by MWD. Some growers stumped avocado trees and pulled out citrus trees due to water shortages in summer ’08. Contact: Gary Arant, 760-749-1603, www.vcmwd.org

• West Basin Municipal Water District – 13 of 17 cities in district’s service area have adopted resolutions as part of the “It’s Time to Get Serious” conservation initiative. Implementing a plan to locally control over 50% of total water demand by 2020 through increased conservation, recycling and education programs, and building a 20 MGD ocean desalination project. Developing a water allocation implementation plan and a model conservation city ordinance to present to cities. Contact:Ron Wildermuth, 310-660-6258, www.westbasin.org.

• West Valley Water District – Offering free indoor water conservation devices. Hosted Water Awareness Event at treatment plant in May. Quarterly newsletters include tips about conserving water and checking for leaks. Contact: Deborah L. Sousa, 909-875-1849. www.wvwd.org

ACWA Contacts

Timothy Quinn, Executive Director, 916-441-4545
Jennifer Persike, Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs, 916-441-4545
Lisa Lien-Mager, Communications Supervisor, 916-441-4545