January 15, 2015

In This Issue

Countywide Water Use Decreases 29 Percent in December

Customer Demand Exhausts Funds for Turf Replacement Program

How Low Can You Go to Reduce Water Use this Winter

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Countywide Water Use Decreases 29 Percent in December

Rainstorms reduce demand for water, but drought conditions persist statewide

Water use in the San Diego region plummeted by 29 percent in December 2014 compared to the same month a year earlier, evidence that many residents, businesses and farmers turned off their irrigation systems for long periods following a series of rainstorms. The savings totaled 10,636 acre-feet, enough to serve more than 21,000 typical four-person households for a year.

The dramatic decrease in water use was achieved even though December was the fourteenth consecutive month of above-normal temperatures in San Diego. Last year was the hottest year on record in San Diego County and California (dating back to 1895), and 2012-2014 was the driest three-year period on record for the state.

December's decrease in potable water use is based on figures reported to the Water Authority by its 24 member agencies.

Water agencies across the county have adopted mandatory water-use restrictions and they are preparing for the potential of a fourth consecutive dry year.

For information about water-use rules by community, along with details about drought conditions and conservation-related resources, go to WheninDrought.org.

Customer Demand Exhausts Funds
for Turf Replacement Program

Applications suspended; popular program to replace more than 1 million square feet of grass

After a successful run of more than two years, the Water Authority's turf replacement incentive program has stopped accepting applications because grant funds for the initiative will be exhausted by pending rebate requests. Launched in December 2012, the WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program will directly account for the replacement of more than 1 million square feet of water-intensive turf grass with low-water-use landscapes across the region.

Approximately 1,000 turf replacement projects will be funded through the program when all the money is spent, and Water Authority staff estimates these projects will save 1,350 acre-feet of water over the next 10 years -- an important component of larger efforts to conserve water supplies by reducing landscape irrigation. Residents and businesses in San Diego County still can apply for turf removal rebates of $2 per square foot from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at www.SoCalWaterSmart.com. These rebates are partly funded by the Water Authority through water rates paid to MWD.

Rebate applications for the Water Authority's program swelled in the second half of 2014 as residents and businesses responded to calls for conservation and statewide drought conditions worsened. The recent rush is expected to exhaust what's left of $2.1 million in grants for the program from the state Department of Water Resources and the federal Bureau of Reclamation.

For more information click here.

For information about drought conditions and conservation-related resources, go to WheninDrought.org.

How Low Can You Go to Reduce Water Use this Winter?

Rain and snow in December improved water supplies statewide, but they didn't make up for three dry years. With drought conditions continuing into 2015, it's time for everyone in the region to take another look at how to "go low."

There are many ways to save water, go to

WheninDrought.org for more information.

The San Diego County Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe and reliable water supply to support the region's $206 billion economy and quality of life of 3.1 million residents.