Ultra-Low Water Allocation Paints Grim Picture for 2010

December 1, 2009

Sacramento – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today on the initial 2010 water supply allocations announced by the Department of Water Resources. The department has notified State Water Project contractors that they may receive just 10% of requested deliveries next year – an amount that ties the lowest initial allocation in the project’s history. SWP contractors deliver water to 25 million Californians and more than 750,000 acres of farmland.

 

“This low allocation shows we are once again in critical territory going into 2010. Last year’s reduced supplies compelled more than 60 water agencies to impose some form of mandatory conservation, and that will likely continue next year.

 

“Even if the coming months bring a return to normal rainfall, we can’t assume that our water supply outlook will necessarily improve significantly. Regulatory restrictions to protect species will continue to constrain water deliveries until long-term solutions are in place.

 

“The legislative water package approved by the Legislature last month and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger puts us on a path toward implementing solutions, but in the interim supplies will be tight for much of the state.

 

“Californians responded to calls for water conservation this year, with significant reductions in water use in several areas. That response must continue for the foreseeable future.”

 

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.