Four Years of Reduced SuppliesFollowing three critically dry years, 2010 is a year of mixed news. While the winter of 2009-10 brought a “normal” year of rain and snow to the northern Sierras, judicial pumping restrictions remain in place to protect threatened species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Water supplies in several major Southern California reservoirs and groundwater basins are below average and should be replenished if there is “surplus” water above basic needs. Governor Declares Water Emergency In response to short supplies, on February 27, 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency to address California’s water shortage. The Governor’s proclamation urges water agencies and their customers to reduce water usage by 20%. “This drought is having a devastating impact on our people, our communities, our economy and our environment - making today’s action absolutely necessary,” the Governor said. His proclamation directed the state’s Department of Water Resources to provide an updated report on drought conditions and water availability. If the emergency conditions have not eased, the governor could also declare mandatory reductions in water use.
“Normal” Rainfall Won’t Fix the Problem Many have asked if more precipitation will bring an end to the drought and solve our state’s water crisis. Precipitation will temporarily alleviate local outdoor water demand, and perhaps recharge some of the state’s reservoirs and groundwater basins. Unfortunately, “normal” rains are not enough. It will take several “wet” years of average or above average rain and snow statewide to refill reservoirs. Moreover, pumping restrictions, Delta water conveyance issues and threatened species concerns are not likely to be resolved quickly. Combined with an increasing population and changing climactic conditions, it is projected that water supply concerns will be with us for years to come.
We Have Been Using Reserves To meet demand during the prolonged period of shortage, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), LVMWD’s sole supplier of water, has been tapping its storage reserves to maintain deliveries to its 26 member agencies. But the reserves are not unlimited. Currently, the reserves located in Southern California are at about half their capacity. Conservation remains a priority for all LVMWD customers.
For more information regarding California's water crisis, go to the Department of Water Resources web site.