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As California deals with drought, local water agencies are calling on customers to step up conservation efforts. Some have implemented mandatory restrictions on water use, and many others are likely to follow suit in the coming months.

More on the drought and ACWA’s 450 public water agency members is available at www.acwa.com.

Sacramento Area

• California American Water Company – Phase 1 drought alert; calling for voluntary 10% reduction. Contact: Evan Jacobs, 707-495-6135.

• Carmichael Water District – Increased patrols. No water on Monday; alternate water days. No washing driveways and water upon request only at restaurants. No dump and fill for pools and spas. Contact: Steve Nugent, 916-483-2452.

• Citrus Heights Water District – Stage 2 water alert; asking for 5-10% reduction. Construction meters will be read more regularly. Contact: Joe Scherrer, 916-725-6873.

• City of West Sacramento – Sent letters to commercial customers to reduce water use by 15%. Contact: Art Schroeder, 916-617-4513.

• Del Paso Manor Water District – Conservation measures in place. Contact: Debra Sedwick, 916-487-0419.

• Fair Oaks Water District – Stage 2 alert; reduce landscape, pasture and indoor water use by 5-10%. Contact: Tom Gray, 916-967-5723.

• Fruitridge Vista Water Company – Declared water shortage crisis. Contact: Stevan Allen, 916-448-1336.

• Orangevale Water – Stage 2 water alert; asking for 5-10% reduction. Construction meters will be read more regularly. Contact: Sharon Wilcox, 916-988-1693.

• Rio Linda / Elverta – Stage 2 water warning. Contact: Dee Clifford-Dillon, 916-991-1000.

• City of Folsom – Declared Stage 2 water alert Aug. 27. Effective Sept. 5, mandatory restrictions apply, including alternate day landscape irrigation, limited hours for automatic sprinkler use and avoidance of run-off onto streets and gutters. Residents are asked to cut overall water use by 20%. Restaurants are banned from serving water unless directly asked. Contact: Sue Ryan, 916- 355-7200, www.folsom.ca.us.

• Sacramento County Water Agency – Urging customers to immediately cut water use by 10% due to reduced supplies from American River. Offering rebates on water efficient washing machines and toilets. Contact: Lisa Park, (916) 874-1515, www.msa.saccounty.net/scwa.

• City of Roseville – Declared Stage 1 drought alert on April 30 due to 25% reduction in supplies from Folsom Reservoir. Customers are being asked to cut water use by 10%. “Cash for Grass” program offers customers up to $1 per square foot to remove grass and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. Contact: Derrick Whitehead, 916-774-5750, www.roseville.ca.us.

• Regional Water Authority – Airing radio public service announcements (PSAs) regarding water conservation. Contact: Lisa Maddaus, 916-967-7692, www.rwah2o.org/rwa .

• San Juan Water District – Adopted Stage 2 water alert in June. Asking customers to voluntarily reduce water use by 5%. Agencies that buy water from San Juan, including Citrus Heights Water District, Fair Oaks Water, Orange Vale Water Company and San Juan Water District retail service area, are asking customers to reduce water use by 5%.

• Sacramento Suburban Water District – Outdoor watering limited to odd/even day schedule. Contact: Jan Gentry, 916-972-7171, www.sswd.org.

Northern Sacramento Valley

• City of Durham – Concerned about dropping groundwater levels. Monitoring wells for last three years to avoid drought-related problems in future.

• City of Willits – Declared Phase 3 water emergency Sept. 24, implemented mandatory water rationing. Residential users limited to 250 gallons per household per day; commercial asked to reduce by 15% from same month the previous year.

• Yuba River – Algae blooms biggest in 20 years due to warmer temperatures and low water levels.

• City of Fort Bragg – Aiming for 10% reduction in use. Ban on car washing, serving water in restaurants and watering landscaping from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. If conservation efforts do not succeed, city will increase its demands for conservation.

• Browns Valley Irrigation District – No water delivered to customers for three days every week beginning July 14. Irrigation system is completely shut off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. Declared a drought in the district’s Collins Lake Service Area on April 1; passed an emergency/drought water conservation ordinance on April 10.

• Bella Vista Water District – Declared water shortage emergency in May and enacted Stage II of its water shortage contingency plan. Adopted drought surcharge effective June 1, 2008, for water usage exceeding 75% of water used during the past water year.

• Nevada Irrigation District – Operating on reserves. Water storage is at 75% capacity, or 13,000 acre feet below the 40-year average. Began water efficiency program this year, providing free consultation to big water users such as vineyards and schools. Will purchase water normally allowed to run downstream for hydroelectric use by PG&E to retain water in storage. Contact: Don Nelson, 530-273-6185, http://www.nid.dst.ca.us.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Marin County – Ranchers affected by limited grass in pastures to feed cattle. County Ag. Commissioner estimates ranchers had suffered a 70 percent loss of forage by June ‘08. Milk made up 58 percent of county’s $67 million ag output in 2007, beef cattle $8 million.

• Santa Clara Valley Water District – Launching year-round water conservation campaign in August. Urging customers to cut water use by 10%. Taking part in “Water Saving Hero” campaign in partnership with other Bay Area water agencies. Contact: Susan Siravo, 408- 265-2607, www.valleywater.org.

• Contra Costa Water District – Voluntary water conservation in place. District’s water supplies expected to be sufficient to meet demands this year without mandatory rationing. Participating in “Water Saving Hero” campaign, a partnership of Bay Area water agencies. Contact: Patty Friesen, 925-688-8194, www.ccwater.com.

• East Bay Municipal Utility District – Set “loggers” to listen for leaks in water mains underground. 300 in place in early Sept., with about 900 yet to come. Instituted mandatory water rationing and declared water-shortage emergency on May 13. Adopted new drought water rates and surcharge effective Aug. 1. Contact: Charles Hardy, 510-587-0141, www.ebmud.com.

• Marin Municipal Water District – Urging voluntary conservation to avoid mandatory rationing. Offering rebates of up to $350 on irrigation equipment, other devices. Participating in “Water Saving Hero” campaign. Contact: Paul Helliker, 415-945-1455, www.marinwater.org.

• North Marin Municipal Water District – Urging customers to reduce outdoor watering, use no more water than last summer and achieve 15% reduction in water use. Contact: Chris DeGabriele, 415-897-4133, www.marinwater.org.

• San Francisco PUC – Launched million-dollar education campaign, requesting customers to continue voluntary conservation efforts that helped reduce water consumption last year by 12%. Working with 27 Bay Area water agencies to urge conservation to help avert mandatory cutbacks. City and county departments directed to reduce water use by 10% under Executive Order signed by mayor. Contact: Tony Winnicker, 415-554-3289, www.sfwater.org.

• Zone 7 Water Agency ( Alameda County) – Asking customers to reduce use by at least 10%. Stepping up community outreach / awareness efforts and rebate programs for water efficient appliances. Contact: Karla Nemeth, 925-454-5008 (office); 925-519-2987 (cell), www.zone7water.com.

• Sonoma County Water Agency – Urging voluntary conservation. May need to implement mandatory conservation depending on water levels in Lake Mendocino and requirements for salmon. Contact: Brad Sherwood, 707-547-1927, www.scwa.ca.gov.

San Joaquin Valley

• 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 – Farm workers are leaving the Valley in search of jobs due to drought and slow economy, particularly Mendota and Firebaugh. Demand for ag workers is low, according to Fresno County Farm Bureau.

• 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 – Mandatory rationing in place through Aug. 31. One-third of farmland is being fallowed and millions of dollars in crops may be abandoned. At least 500 jobs have been lost since the beginning of 2008, and another 300 or more may be lost due to current drought emergency. 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

• 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 – 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 – 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. Contact: Kimberly Thorner, 760-753-6466, www.omwd.com.

• 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 – Considering tiered water pricing system to charge customers who use over a certain amount of water. New landscape rules, rebates in effect to reduce outdoor water use. Contact: Mark Beuhler, 760-398-2651, www.cvwd.org.

• Eastern Municipal Water District – 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. Contact: Melanie Nieman, 951-928-3777, www.emwd.org.

• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District – 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 – 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— 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 – Asking customers to cut water use by 10%. Board to consider restrictions on outdoor watering, prohibiting use of water to clean sidewalks, etc. 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 – 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.

• 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 – 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 – Mandatory 30% reduction in place for agricultural water users. Some growers are stumping avocado trees and pulling out citrus trees due to water shortages. 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.

 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