Water Shortages Impact Local Water Agencies Statewide
May 21, 2009
Three consecutive dry years, low reservoir storage, regulatory restrictions and reduced Colorado River supplies are causing serious water supply challenges for local California water agencies in 2009.
The State Water Project, which delivers water to 25 million people in Southern California, will deliver less than half (40%) of the water supplies requested by its contracting agencies in 2009. The Central Valley Project, operated by the federal government, will deliver just 10% of contracted amounts to some agricultural districts in the state.
To combat dwindling water supplies, many local and regional water agencies are rationing supplies and placing mandatory restrictions on water use to conserve.
At least 35 California water agencies and districts are requesting some form of mandatory conservation, cutbacks or restrictions on water use from customers. At least 61 agencies statewide are requesting voluntary conservation. As the summer progresses and demand for water rises, more are expected to follow suit.
Typical restrictions on water use include limiting outdoor watering to two or three days a week and prohibiting the use of a hose to wash down driveways and sidewalks. Some agencies have prohibited restaurants from serving water unless requested by customers. Many have restructured their water rates to encourage conservation and are assessing fines for violating use restrictions.
An interactive online map tracking the actions of water agencies in response to water shortages can be found here.