Water Authority Ends Shortage Allocations, Lifts Call for Mandatory Use Restrictions 

Agency urges continued water efficiency, focus on fixing supply and ecological problems in the Bay-Delta  

Problems in the Bay-Delta (Bay-Delta waterways shown above) still threaten statewide water supply reliability.

Significant improvements in this year's weather and water storage led the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today to end mandatory urban and agricultural water supply cutbacks, and to lift the agency's regionwide call for mandatory water use restrictions.

The board also reinforced the need for the region to continue to use water wisely, and called upon the state of California to finalize a financially viable plan to solve significant problems plaguing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, the hub of California's State Water Project system.

"While our latest drought is over, our state's water supply system is still in crisis," said Water Authority Board Chair Michael T. Hogan.  "Thanks to a very wet year and outstanding water-saving efforts by our region's residents, businesses and agricultural community, we can put our drought response tools back in the toolbox - for now.  But we cannot forget that ensuring a safe and reliable water supply is a long-term challenge here in semi-arid Southern California.  We must solve the water supply and ecological problems in the Bay-Delta that led to cuts in water deliveries from State Water Project and contributed to our recent supply shortages."

Effective April 29, the Water Authority will restore full urban water deliveries to its 24 member retail water agencies, which had been required to comply with a regional 8 percent supply cut since July 2009.  The board action also restores full agricultural water deliveries by the Water Authority, which had been cut 13 percent for some agricultural customers since July 2009.

The Board action deactivated the Water Authority's Water Shortage and Drought Response Plan and ended the drought response levels in its Drought Response Conservation Program Ordinance. The region had been in a Level 2 Drought Alert condition, which signaled local water agencies to enact conservation-based rates or mandatory water use restrictions to help curb demand.  

In taking the action to end supply cutbacks and mandatory water use restrictions, the board reinforced the importance for residents and businesses to continue efficient water use practices in the face ongoing supply challenges and the long-term achievement of a state-mandated 20 percent reduction in water use by 2020.   

To read a full news release, click here.  

For more details, visit the SDCWA Top Issues page.  

Join the Water Authority on May 31 for "Water Talks: Investing in Reliability" 

Free community forum to cover key water issues such as supply challenges and efforts to protect ratepayers  

A safe and reliable water supply is critical for the continued prosperity of San Diego County's $186 billion economy and quality of life for its 3.1 million residents.

Join the Water Authority on May 31 at 5 p.m. at its Kearny Mesa headquarters to learn more and discuss the latest key water issues and on-going efforts to ensure future water reliability. Speakers will include Board Chair Michael T. Hogan, Assistant General Manager Dennis Cushman, and Director of Finance Eric Sandler. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required, as seating is limited.  

Topics will include supply challenges, contributing factors to increasing water rates and the Water Authority's strategy to meet the region's future water demands. A tour of the Water Authority's WaterSmart garden will be available before the presentations.

For more information, and to RSVP, click here.

Water Authority Poll Shows Public Likely to Continue Water-Efficient Practices   

Over the past four years, urban water users in San Diego County have reduced their water use by 20 percent.  Now, a new countywide poll commissioned by the Water Authority found most residents plan to continue their water-saving practices under a variety of conditions, including the end of mandatory water use restrictions. 

The poll also found that four out of five residents support the Water Authority's plan to diversify the region's water sources to enhance supply reliability, but there is growing concern about water rate increases to support investments in water reliability projects.

The poll, which surveyed 821 adults in late March and early April, found 83 percent of all respondents said they would continue to comply with water use restrictions even if they were not mandatory. In addition, nearly one-third of respondents (31 percent) said their household water use had decreased over the past year. Of those, 87 percent believed their reductions in water use are permanent.  

To view a full version of the news release, click here.  

To view the full poll report, as well as past poll reports, click here.