Despite strong El Niño conditions that could generate above-average rainfall in Southern California, the San Diego County Water Authority today urged residents and businesses to maintain extraordinary water conservation efforts in light of on-going state mandates and continued uncertainty about whether El Niño will deliver significant precipitation to critical watersheds in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains.
Category Archives: Drought
Urban Water Use Declined 27 Percent Countywide During Summer Months
Over the first three months of state-mandated savings, the San Diego region reduced urban potable water use by 27 percent compared to the same period in 2013, beating the regional aggregate target of 20 percent. Conserved water in San Diego County is being stored locally for future use, a valuable asset should drought conditions continue into 2016 or beyond.
Governor Signs Water Authority Bill Preventing HOAs from Banning Artificial Turf
Gov. Jerry Brown today signed legislation sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority that prohibits common interest developments (typically governed by homeowners associations, or HOAs) from banning artificial turf.
Popular WaterSmart Plant Checklist Updated, Released Across San Diego County
Looking for the perfect groundcover? Need to replace a shrub or tree?
Rebates Increase for Turf Replacement Projects
As San Diego County heads into summer and the peak season for water use, regional water-saving programs are growing thanks to two pieces of good news – a $1 increase in the amount offered per square foot for replacing turf grass, and a major boost in grant funding to extend the San Diego County Water Authority’s turf replacement program.
Storm Watch Is On; Turn Irrigation Systems Off!
Heavy rains expected across the San Diego region over the next few days will allow residents and businesses to turn off their sprinkler systems for at least a week, saving a large volume of imported water for later use.
Significant rainfall is projected in San Diego County with snow in the Sierra Nevada through the weekend, providing a reprieve from dry conditions but not an end to the statewide drought.
Shrinking Colorado River Reservoirs Highlight Need for Water-Use Efficiency, Supply Diversification
An unprecedented reduction in reservoir releases on the Colorado River announced Friday by the Bureau of Reclamation won’t cut water supplies to agencies in San Diego County or the rest of the Southwest during the 2014 “water year,” but the move does underscore the importance of continued conservation and water-supply diversification across the region.
U-T San Diego and Water Authority Launch Weekly WaterSmart Tips to Help Region Conserve
The San Diego County Water Authority and U-T San Diego are partnering to provide timely advice about water conservation every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the newspaper. Starting on Feb. 22, the U-T will publish “Be WaterSmart” tips to help San Diego County residents stretch the region’s water supplies.
Water Authority Responds to State Drought Relief Financing and Assistance Legislation
"We applaud the rapid response and leadership demonstrated by California's leaders today – Governor Brown, Senate President Pro Tempore Steinberg and Speaker Pérez – in announcing drought relief financing and assistance legislation,” said Thomas V. Wornham, Chair of the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors.
Water Authority Activates Drought Response Plan, Seeks Increased Voluntary Conservation
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously called upon the region’s residents, businesses and institutions to increase water conservation efforts in response to severe drought conditions across California.