OCTOBER 2008 Since 1910 Leadership Advocacy Information Association of California Water Agencies Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 • Sacramento, CA 95814 916.441.4545 www.acwa.com PHOTOS: Top left: A buoy rests on exposed earth at San Luis Reservoir, now at 12% of capacity. Top right: Lake Oroville is currently at 31% of capacity. Dry Conditions, Low Reservoirs Spell Water Supply Challenges in 2009 Back-to-back dry years and low reservoir levels have put California squarely in a statewide drought. Key reservoirs are at about one-third of capacity, and state water officials say it will take more than one extremely wet winter for storage levels to recover. Local water agencies around the state are drawing down their reserves and taking aggressive action to reduce water use, including mandatory rationing in some areas and restrictions on outdoor water use in others. Growers in some of California’s most productive agricultural regions have seen dramatic cuts in water deliveries this year, and all signs point to further reductions in 2009. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an official drought June 4. He also declared a local drought emergency in nine Central Valley counties due to water shortages. The Department of Water Resources has established a Drought Water Bank to facilitate water transfers and help mitigate water shortages in a potential third dry year. Dry conditions and the combined effect of court-ordered cuts in water deliveries have forced many water agencies to rely on conservation and / or dip into reserves to meet needs in 2008. That means local agencies will have less water available next year, and less water to replenish groundwater basins. 2008 Water Year Ends Critically Dry The 2008 water year officially ended Sept. 30. Coming on the heels of a dry 2007, the 2008 water year was designated critically dry. Statewide runoff totaled just 57% of normal for the year. The state’s major reservoirs are at about one-third of capacity at a time when they would typically be at about two-thirds. With all signs pointing to a third dry year in 2009, water agencies are gearing up for more challenges and the possibility of widespread water shortages.
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OCTOBER 2008
Since 1910 LeadershipAdvocacyInformation
Associationof CaliforniaWater Agencies
Association of California Water Agencies910 K Street, Suite 100 • Sacramento, CA 95814
916.441.4545
www.acwa.com
PHOTOS:Top left: A buoy rests on exposed earth at San Luis Reservoir, now at 12% of capacity.
Top right: Lake Oroville is currently at 31% of capacity.
Dry Conditions, Low Reservoirs Spell Water Supply Challenges in 2009Back-to-back dry years and low reservoir levels have put California squarely in a statewide drought. Key reservoirs are at about one-third of capacity, and state water officials say it will take more than one extremely wet winter for storage levels to recover.
Local water agencies around the state are drawing down their reserves and taking aggressive action to reduce water use, including mandatory rationing in some areas and restrictions on outdoor water use in others. Growers in some of California’s most productive agricultural regions have seen dramatic cuts in water deliveries this year, and all signs point to further reductions in 2009.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an official drought June 4. He also declared a local drought emergency in nine Central Valley counties due to water shortages. The Department of Water Resources has established a Drought Water Bank to facilitate water transfers and help mitigate water shortages in a potential third dry year.
Dry conditions and the combined effect of court-ordered cuts in water deliveries have forced many water agencies to rely on conservation and / or dip into reserves to meet needs in 2008. That means local agencies will have less water available next year, and less water to replenish groundwater basins.
2008 Water Year Ends Critically DryThe 2008 water year officially ended Sept. 30. Coming on the heels of a dry 2007, the 2008 water year was designated critically dry. Statewide runoff totaled just 57% of normal for the year. The state’s major reservoirs are at about one-third of capacity at a time when they would typically be at about two-thirds.
With all signs pointing to a third dry year in 2009, water agencies are gearing up for more challenges and the possibility of widespread water shortages.
ShastaReservoir
30%Lake
Oroville31%
FolsomLake28%
San LuisReservoir
12%
100
0
755025
Percentage of total capacity at major California reservoirs
As of October 1, 2008
100
0
755025
100
0
755025
100
0
755025
Drought Impacts Around the StateWith California officially in a drought, local water agencies are dealing with challenges ranging from low runoff to court-ordered reductions in water deliveries to soaring energy costs. An informal survey conducted by Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) shows that drought conditions are having an array of impacts on local water agencies.
Effects of the current drought include:
Agricultural crops fallowed / abandoned / trees •stumped
Irrigation water shut off in some areas•Reserves drawn down•Increased groundwater pumping•Less water for groundwater recharge•Cost of water increased sharply due to shortage•Increased algae blooms due to low water levels•Limited pasture grass to feed cattle•Loss of farm jobs, economic output in Central •Valley
More private wells drilled •Uncertain supplies for next year•
Actions taken by water districts in response to drought include:
Water supply alert / shortage / drought declared •Voluntary and mandatory conservation•Drought rates / surcharges / fines in effect•Water rate increases due to shortage•“Drought Busters” to enforce conservation •efforts
Drinking water by request only at restaurants •Alternate day only watering allowed; hours •limited
Street runoff, car washing banned•“Cash for Grass” programs implemented •Leak detection efforts increased •Conservation campaigns launched•Construction meters read more regularly•PSAs on radio urging conservation•Free consultation to big water users•Rebates on water efficient appliances•New development limited; water efficient •landscape required
Disappointing Rain, Runoff Add to Reservoir WoesThe seven-month period of March – September 2008 was the driest on record for the Northern Sierra, the source of much of the state’s water supply. Only 3.5 inches of rainfall was recorded, which is just 23% of average for that time. Statewide precipitation for 2007-2008 combined was about 70% of average.
Reservoirs levels statewide dropped throughout the summer of 2008.
Reservoir levels as of Oct. 1:
Lake Oroville – 31% of capacity (lowest since 1977)San Luis Reservoir – 12% of capacityFolsom Lake – 28% of capacityShasta Reservoir – 30% of capacityNew Melones – 45% of capacity Don Pedro – 52% of capacityMillerton – 38% of capacity
Court Rulings Complicate the PictureIn December 2007, a U.S. District Court judge ordered restrictions on water project operations in the Delta to help protect a threatened fish species, the Delta smelt. The restrictions reduced water deliveries by as much as 30% this year to 25 million Californians in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast, the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.
Voluntary Reductions or Stage I-II Alert
Mandatory Restrictions or Local Emergency
Agricultural Rationing
Redding
RosevilleCitrus HeightsFolsomSacramento
Amador County
San FranciscoSanta Clara Valley
San Joaquin
Alameda CountyStockton
StainslausTurlockMerced
Madera Fresno CountyTulare
Kern County DelanoKings
Ventura Inland EmpireAnaheimGarden Grove
WestminsterSan Juan Capistrano
San Diego
Orange CountyElsinore Valley
Los Angeles
Thousand Oaks
Long BeachChino Hills
East BayContra Costa
MarinSonoma CntyWest SacramentoFort Bragg
WillitsYuba County
Becoming Low-Flow ConsumersIn recent years, water-saving devices such as self-adjusting irrigation controllers, high-efficiency toilets, water-efficient washing machines and dishwashers, and low-flow
faucets have moved to the forefront. Many water agencies offer rebates to customers who purchase water-saving devices, and interest generally swells during times of drought.
Though many consumers have taken the plunge, many have yet to make the investment. Since the cost of water has remained comparatively low, some consumers may not see water-saving devices as cost-effective. That may change in the near future, however, as more and more water agencies begin charging customers based on the amount of water they use. (See article below, “Rates Encourage Conservation.”)
Experts say the key to reducing water demand is public awareness. Consumers must change the way they think about and use water – whether or not we’re in a drought.
Rates Encourage ConservationAs drought continues its grip on California, many water agencies are moving to institute new water rate structures designed to encourage customers to use less and charge a premium for those who use more. Tiered-rate structures are expected to become more and more widespread in the coming years.
Even without a change in how rates are structured, monthly water bills are likely to increase over the next few years for customers from one end of the state to the other. Among the factors driving the increase are soaring energy costs, high costs associated with upgrading water delivery and treatment infrastructure, and drought-related expenses such as public education and purchasing additional water supplies.
Drought-tolerant landscaping is key to saving water.
The following people and Web sites can provide more information about water conditions and drought impacts:
• Elissa Lynn, Department of Water Resources, 916.574.2221 • Michelle Light, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 916.978.5100• Jennifer Persike, ACWA, 916.441.4545 • Mike Wade, California Farm Water Coalition, 916.391.5030
• Association of California Water Agencies, www.acwa.com • California Department of Water Resources, www.water.ca.gov • Cooperative Snow Surveys, www.cded.water.ca.gov/snow/ • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/ • Water Education Foundation, www.watereducation.org • California Farm Water Coalition, www.cfwc.com
PHOTO:Top left: Shasta Lake during the 1991 California drought.
Looking Ahead: A Dry 2009 Could Put California in Dire StraitsAs water districts across the state continued to draw down reserves in late 2008, many worried about the effects another dry year would have on operations. State water officials are expected to announce preliminary allocations for 2009 later this year, and local water agencies are bracing for a grim forecast.
Customers of the state’s two largest water projects—the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project—received just 35% and 40% of their supplies, respectively, in 2008 due to a confluence of issues. Deliveries are expected to be even lower in 2009. The two projects together serve more than 25 million Californians in the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast and Southern California as well as 2.5 million acres of farmland.
Many water agencies report they will likely take more drastic measures in 2009, including further restrictions on outdoor water use and mandatory conservation in many areas.
A third year of drought would have severe impacts on the state’s agricultural economy, and consumers could see higher prices for produce such as lettuce, tomatoes and melons. Ongoing drought would also set the stage for a potentially explosive fire season next year as the forests and landscapes become even more dry and fire-friendly.
Dry conditions in 2009 and continued court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries would likely put more pressure on the state’s groundwater resources, which provide about 40% of the state’s water in average years. Growers and others who rely on underground water sources could see water levels drop further, resulting in higher pumping costs and raising concerns about the long-term health of already stressed groundwater basins.
How this Drought Differs from the 1986-92 DroughtThe most recent statewide drought in California was from 1986-1992. There are some key differences that distinguish the current drought from that episode.
Significant restrictions on Delta operations are in place today. Court-ordered restrictions to protect species reduced supplies by at least 30% in 2008. Last time around, customers of the main water projects did not see major reductions in deliveries until the fifth year of the drought.
Much of the easy conservation has been done. Plumbing retrofits and metering have reduced per capita water use in recent years. While there is still great potential for more conservation, particularly in the area of outdoor water use, it takes additional effort and investment to get there.
California’s share of Colorado River supplies has been permanently reduced. During the last drought, California was still able to rely on surplus Colorado River supplies totaling about 800,000 acre-feet per year. Now, the state is limited to its legal entitlement of 4.4 million acre-feet. The additional water shielded Southern California from much of the impact of the 1986-’92 drought.
Reservoir storage is already low. Storage in the state’s key reservoirs already was low this year on the heels of a dry 2007. Reservoir storage was relatively good during the first few years of the 1986-’92 drought.
ACWA is a statewide non-profit association whose 450 public agency members are responsible for about 90% of the water deliveries in California.
