State water use down 27 percent in June

Estimates of California’s agricultural footprint suggest that farms account for as much as 80 percent of water use. However, not all local districts met their individual conservation standards.

According to the board, California’s urban water suppliers saved 59.4 billion gallons (182,151 acre-feet), as compared to the same time in 2013.

As of June, the State Water Resources Control Board showed 265 of 411 local water agencies hitting or almost reaching their savings targets. Overall, Californians saved 27.3 percent, exceeding the 25 percent goal called for by Governor Jerry Brown. By contrast, “the June numbers tell a story of conscious conservation”, she said.

Many Northern California water districts passed with flying colors.

Among the best performers in June were Menlo Park, Redwood City and the Dublin San Ramon Services District, which cut water use 46.7 percent, 39.1 percent and 42.5 percent, respectively. The state intends to tell those areas to ramp up water waste enforcement or limit the days residents can water lawns.

San Jose Water Co.

Suisun City came close, at 24.9 percent.

California ReLeaf has partnered with Save Our Water, a coalition of the California Division of Water Assets and Affiliation of California Water Businesses, to launch a marketing campaign informing residents about correct tree care in the course of the drought. The public knows how bad the drought is, and agencies need to help them know what to do. “The people of California have gotten it and they’re taking those actions and saving a lot of water”.

“It’s really critical in these first summer months for suppliers to be meeting their targets”, said Max Gomberg, a senior environmental scientist with the water board.

On July 8, the Nevada City Council passed a resolution declaring a stage 3 water shortage warning, establishing mandatory water restrictions to conserve potable water in the city.

“They did point out if we are in an usual situation of having a particular pattern of water use that they do offer an alternative compliance mechanism”, he said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a drought year or a non-drought year”.

At issue are thousands of letters sent this year to farmers, government agencies and corporations with water rights telling them to cease pumping because rivers and streams in the Central Valley are too dry to meet demand. “We are in the drought of our lives, but it’s not the drought of all times”.

“If it happens, we’ll celebrate, but we can’t count on it”, she said.

Democrats dominate politics in the most populous US state, where they hold wide majorities in both houses of the legislature and all state-wide elected offices.