As temperatures soared to summer-like highs across the San Diego region on Thursday, the California Department of Water Resources’ final survey of the spring confirmed significantly below-average water content in the snowpack that provides about one-third of the water supplies for the San Diego County Water Authority. Runoff in the Colorado River Basin, the region’s other major imported water source, also is projected to be far below average for the second consecutive year despite April storms that boosted snow levels in the Rocky Mountains.
Category Archives: Water Use
Latest Snowpack Survey Results Indicate No Change to Water Supply Challenges
The following statement is in response to the latest statewide snowpack survey conducted by the state Department of Water Resources, which indicated snowpack water content is 107 percent of normal for this time of year, down from 115 percent at the last survey in January.
Full survey results are available from DWR at: http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/030310snow.pdf
New Round of Rebates Offered for High-Efficiency Toilets
San Diego County homeowners can now get rebates of up to $50 and businesses can get rebates of up to $200 for purchasing highly efficient toilets as part of extensive regional efforts to promote wise use of water.
While many homeowners and businesses have upgraded to more efficient toilets in recent years, manufacturers have continued to reduce the amount of water necessary for each flush as regulatory standards evolve.
Water Authority board endorses Water Conservation Summit report
The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors has endorsed a water conservation white paper outlining the challenges and strategies of increasing the amount of water saved through conservation in San Diego County. The post-summit white paper, developed from the Water Conservation Summit held Sept. 29, 2006, will serve as the strategic vision of outdoor water conservation in the Water Authority’s service area for the next five years.
New Balboa Park Upgrades Will Save Millions of Gallons of Water Annually
Balboa Park is taking water-use efficiency to a new level with a collaboration between the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, the San Diego County Water Authority and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) that will reduce water use by approximately 2.4 million gallons a year while trimming energy consumption at the same time. The partners funded the installation of 365 high-efficiency water fixtures such as toilets, urinals and flow-control devices on faucets. The project involved upgrades to restrooms and kitchens in nine historic Park buildings that are home to 13 cultural organizations. The retrofits, completed last week, will generate water savings […]
Water Authority issues urgent call for decreased water usage through next week
The San Diego County Water Authority has issued an urgent call for home-owners and businesses throughout San Diego County to curtail all unnecessary water use through the end of next week. This includes reducing landscape irrigation through the end of next week. Where landscape irrigation is necessary, the Water Authority advises watering between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to help reduce demands during the day.
Fall’s Cool Temperatures and Shorter Days Mean Less Outdoor Watering
The fall season brings cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours. It also means lawns and gardens require less water.
As part of its ongoing campaign to reduce water use in the region, the San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies are urging residents, businesses and public agencies, as well as gardeners and landscape contractors, to begin reducing the frequency and duration of watering times for residential and commercial irrigation systems.
Water Authority Urges Continued Irrigation Hiatus as Weekend Storms Approach
The San Diego County Water Authority is urging residents and businesses to shut down landscape irrigation systems due to a forecast for rain starting Friday evening through Saturday, with additional storms possible early next week.
San Diego County Water Authority Finds Small Leak in North County Pipeline
On Monday, a contractor excavating a Water Authority treated water pipeline that serves North County member agencies, found a leak. Ramona Municipal Water District is asking its customers to eliminate unnecessary outdoor water use from Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25, while the leak is being repaired. The Water Authority's Ramona Pipeline, which provides treated water to the Olivenhain Municipal Water District, city of San Diego, and Ramona Municipal Water District, was found to have a minor leak and is in need of emergency repairs this weekend.
Water Authority Urges Shutting Down Irrigation Systems Before Weekend Storms
The San Diego County Water Authority is urging residents and businesses to turn off irrigation systems in anticipation of a storm system forecasters expect to move into the region late Friday and last until Sunday. Following a significant storm, irrigation systems can remain off for several weeks. The Water Authority estimates a one-week hiatus from using landscape watering systems across the region could save 2,000 acre-feet of water, or enough to meet the needs of 4,000 families of four for a year.